Look at me! Lookatmelookatmelookatme! I am blogging! This is just going to be short, but I had a profound thought and wanted to share it with you...This is not about the Sabbath...I love it and I hope to get back to working on it soon, but this was just a little epiphany...
I have recently joined a group of people who are doing their own version of The Biggest Loser...a show that I have never watched...I am doing it too, just for something interesting to do while I am trying to lose some of my "We're moving" weight.
We also have a nice man who is fixing some things for us at our new house...named SuperJohn...
In both of these instances, I have noticed that my behavior is better than usual...I have been watching my eating more closely because of the accountability of the first group and been better about making sure the same stuff isn't always messy because of the second group.
Alos, in both instances, these people have no buy in with me...so I can't get pity or anything...either I do the right thing or I look stupid...simple as that.
Isn't that interesting;-)?
Back to work for me...thanks for checking in.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Friday, April 20, 2007
Pastor Emphasizes the Need for Theology
This from the news this week (April 16th) . Thought it was interesting...the reporter is Joy Rancatore.
WAKE FOREST, N.C. (BP)--Too many pastors have forsaken the proper handling of the Word of God, which should be central to their ministries, Bill Curtis told students at a Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary chapel service.
Curtis, chairman of the North American Mission Board's trustees, noted the popularity of televangelists whose preaching is anything but expositional or exegetical.
"If we're to be careful handlers of the Word, we must let the Word speak," Curtis said April 11 with 2 Timothy 2:14-26 as his text.
Like many others, Curtis said he grew up listening to ministers who preached their own agendas and interpretations rather than the whole counsel of the Gospel. Such occurrences did not stop there, he said.
"I would go so far as to say that even in our own Southern Baptist Convention, I marvel at the number of sermons that masquerade as biblical exposition," Curtis, pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Florence, S.C., told students.
A graduate of Southeastern, Curtis commended the institution's commitment to expositional preaching, and he reminded students that learning must go beyond the classroom.
"It is essential that we not just talk about it, that we not just read about it, but that we actually become equipped to do it," he said.
According to Curtis, three characteristics of a careful expositor are a commitment to biblical interpretation, a commitment to theological instruction and a commitment to moral integrity.
"It's not enough to just have all the head knowledge about exposition, the principles of hermeneutics, the 12 essential skills," Curtis said. "If we're to be careful handlers of the Word of God, if we're to be committed to authentic, biblical interpretation, we must exert the effort invest the work to become knowledgeable of how to rightly handle the truth.
"And then we have to develop the expertise to use the skills correctly. And, friend, listen. If God has called you to ministry, that is His expectation for you," Curtis said.
Because of the importance of theology in the church, Curtis said church members need to be taught theology but pastors must first study it themselves.
"As we handle the Word of God rightly, as we encounter the doctrines of the Word of God, it is incumbent upon us to teach them rightly," he said. "And my concern -- my fear in many ways -- is that we, as ministers, as followers of Christ, have lost sight of how significant our own understanding of theology is to this task to which God has called us as elders."
He compared the failure to rightly handle the Word of truth to the spread of gangrene.
"Our capacity to navigate the waters of theology is important because the poor handling of truth, the poor handling of theology, will allow truth literally to be eaten away by error," Curtis said. "And so we have a tremendous need, to not only develop our own theological understanding, but the wisdom of how to teach in a way that will grow the body, preserve it from disunity and protect it from error."
Curtis said a commitment to moral integrity is important because "it is the quality of our character that provides us with the capacity to teach rightly." In order to preserve good character, a pastor must flee from wickedness and pursue righteousness, he said.
"Just as we are diligent to invest our lives in the careful handling of the Word so that we might instruct the people of God rightly, so too we are to pursue with great passion the righteousness of God," Curtis said, urging students to pour themselves into their studies and make the careful handling of the Word of God the supreme goal of their ministries.
WAKE FOREST, N.C. (BP)--Too many pastors have forsaken the proper handling of the Word of God, which should be central to their ministries, Bill Curtis told students at a Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary chapel service.
Curtis, chairman of the North American Mission Board's trustees, noted the popularity of televangelists whose preaching is anything but expositional or exegetical.
"If we're to be careful handlers of the Word, we must let the Word speak," Curtis said April 11 with 2 Timothy 2:14-26 as his text.
Like many others, Curtis said he grew up listening to ministers who preached their own agendas and interpretations rather than the whole counsel of the Gospel. Such occurrences did not stop there, he said.
"I would go so far as to say that even in our own Southern Baptist Convention, I marvel at the number of sermons that masquerade as biblical exposition," Curtis, pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Florence, S.C., told students.
A graduate of Southeastern, Curtis commended the institution's commitment to expositional preaching, and he reminded students that learning must go beyond the classroom.
"It is essential that we not just talk about it, that we not just read about it, but that we actually become equipped to do it," he said.
According to Curtis, three characteristics of a careful expositor are a commitment to biblical interpretation, a commitment to theological instruction and a commitment to moral integrity.
"It's not enough to just have all the head knowledge about exposition, the principles of hermeneutics, the 12 essential skills," Curtis said. "If we're to be careful handlers of the Word of God, if we're to be committed to authentic, biblical interpretation, we must exert the effort invest the work to become knowledgeable of how to rightly handle the truth.
"And then we have to develop the expertise to use the skills correctly. And, friend, listen. If God has called you to ministry, that is His expectation for you," Curtis said.
Because of the importance of theology in the church, Curtis said church members need to be taught theology but pastors must first study it themselves.
"As we handle the Word of God rightly, as we encounter the doctrines of the Word of God, it is incumbent upon us to teach them rightly," he said. "And my concern -- my fear in many ways -- is that we, as ministers, as followers of Christ, have lost sight of how significant our own understanding of theology is to this task to which God has called us as elders."
He compared the failure to rightly handle the Word of truth to the spread of gangrene.
"Our capacity to navigate the waters of theology is important because the poor handling of truth, the poor handling of theology, will allow truth literally to be eaten away by error," Curtis said. "And so we have a tremendous need, to not only develop our own theological understanding, but the wisdom of how to teach in a way that will grow the body, preserve it from disunity and protect it from error."
Curtis said a commitment to moral integrity is important because "it is the quality of our character that provides us with the capacity to teach rightly." In order to preserve good character, a pastor must flee from wickedness and pursue righteousness, he said.
"Just as we are diligent to invest our lives in the careful handling of the Word so that we might instruct the people of God rightly, so too we are to pursue with great passion the righteousness of God," Curtis said, urging students to pour themselves into their studies and make the careful handling of the Word of God the supreme goal of their ministries.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Back to Sabbath
Well, the Lent season was great, Passover was great, Easter was wonderful, and now we are finally able to be back to "real life".
We will be moving in a few weeks, so now the idea of simply getting weekly jobs done so that I can enjoy the Sabbath, the idea of organizing things here in our present home so I can enjoy the Sabbath...that is now on hold...Not that I won't still be endeavoring to set Sunday aside, but I kind of felt like I was getting a handle on the previous plan...:-) and now it is much more far reaching.
I don't know know why the timing for this has worked out the way it has...maybe God knew I was going to hit a comfortable spot and then kind of stop in the ultimate goal of getting a handle on our home, which I do think is very important for my long term satisfaction.
So now, the goals, revised :-), are
1. Get everything ready on Saturday (or before) so that I can not have stressful or distracting things happening on Sunday.
Simple breakfast plan
Relaxing lunch plan
Dishwasher unloaded Saturday night
Lunches made as much as possible on Saturday for the buffaloes on Monday
House at the bare minimum of straight on Saturday so I am not looking at a mess on Sunday
2. As we are packing, trying to get rid of those things that we don't need and that are in our way, so that we only have things that we need and love.
A plan of the packing
Daily goals
3. Priorities
Time with the kids
Time for me
Time with Mr. Buffalo
A weekly plan of events so that I don't forget things and have a last minute crisis from the week.
So, probably more later, but that is the new plan for now.
We will be moving in a few weeks, so now the idea of simply getting weekly jobs done so that I can enjoy the Sabbath, the idea of organizing things here in our present home so I can enjoy the Sabbath...that is now on hold...Not that I won't still be endeavoring to set Sunday aside, but I kind of felt like I was getting a handle on the previous plan...:-) and now it is much more far reaching.
I don't know know why the timing for this has worked out the way it has...maybe God knew I was going to hit a comfortable spot and then kind of stop in the ultimate goal of getting a handle on our home, which I do think is very important for my long term satisfaction.
So now, the goals, revised :-), are
1. Get everything ready on Saturday (or before) so that I can not have stressful or distracting things happening on Sunday.
Simple breakfast plan
Relaxing lunch plan
Dishwasher unloaded Saturday night
Lunches made as much as possible on Saturday for the buffaloes on Monday
House at the bare minimum of straight on Saturday so I am not looking at a mess on Sunday
2. As we are packing, trying to get rid of those things that we don't need and that are in our way, so that we only have things that we need and love.
A plan of the packing
Daily goals
3. Priorities
Time with the kids
Time for me
Time with Mr. Buffalo
A weekly plan of events so that I don't forget things and have a last minute crisis from the week.
So, probably more later, but that is the new plan for now.
Saturday, April 7, 2007
lent+three...holy saturday
I am pretty happy with what we do every year for Good Friday...and our Easter remembrance is good, but Saturday....Holy Saturday, as it is called in some fellowships...has been more of a challenge. It seems that there should be something to keep the focus between Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
I did some research a few years back to see if there was anything already out there....This was what we wound up using. We do this reading before the little buffaloes go to bed. I did not write this poem...I don't know who did. If you know, let me know.
Yesterday I was crucified with Christ
Tomorrow I am glorified with Him.
Yesterday I died with Him,
Tomorrow I am made alive with Him.
Yesterday I was buried with Him,
Tomorrow I am raised with Him.
Let us become like Christ,
Since Christ became like us.
Let us become holy for His sake,
Since for us He became man.
He assumed the worse,
That He might give us the better.
He became poor,
that by His poverty, we might become rich.
He accepted the form of a servant,
To win us back our freedom.
He came down
that we might be lifted up.
He was tempted,
that through Him, we might conquer.
He was dishonored,
that He might bring us to a place of honor.
He died,
that He might save us.
He ascended,
that He might draw us to Himself,
Who lie helpless,
having fallen into sin.
Let us give all,
offer all,
to Him
who gave Himself;
As a ransom
and reconciliation
for us.
I did some research a few years back to see if there was anything already out there....This was what we wound up using. We do this reading before the little buffaloes go to bed. I did not write this poem...I don't know who did. If you know, let me know.
Yesterday I was crucified with Christ
Tomorrow I am glorified with Him.
Yesterday I died with Him,
Tomorrow I am made alive with Him.
Yesterday I was buried with Him,
Tomorrow I am raised with Him.
Let us become like Christ,
Since Christ became like us.
Let us become holy for His sake,
Since for us He became man.
He assumed the worse,
That He might give us the better.
He became poor,
that by His poverty, we might become rich.
He accepted the form of a servant,
To win us back our freedom.
He came down
that we might be lifted up.
He was tempted,
that through Him, we might conquer.
He was dishonored,
that He might bring us to a place of honor.
He died,
that He might save us.
He ascended,
that He might draw us to Himself,
Who lie helpless,
having fallen into sin.
Let us give all,
offer all,
to Him
who gave Himself;
As a ransom
and reconciliation
for us.
Friday, April 6, 2007
lent+two Good Friday
Services abound for Good Friday, but we do this one at home.
We use the Easter Cookie Recipe that you can find many places on the internet
Easter Story Cookies
1 cup sugar
1c whole pecans
1tsp vinegar
3 egg whites (room temp)
pinch salt
zipper bag
wooden spoon
tape (duct tape or masking)
Bible (or just this format)
and some of the coloring pictures from this site...I think it is actually a PDF file. (the site address is www.christiancoloring.com/cmpdf2006/stations/stations_booklet.pdf.
If it doesn't work, go to the main site and search for Stations of the Cross. We use pages 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. Yes, it's the Stations of the Cross, but we don't do all the falling down pictures or the one with Veronica. The one of Jesus being nailed to the cross is very effective.
So here is our order for the home service tonight.
Good Friday “Service”
· Preheat oven to 300(this is important-don't wait until you're half done with the recipe)
Station 1 Jesus Is Condemned to Death
Pilate announced, "Here he is: the Man." 6When the high priests and police saw him, they shouted in a frenzy, "Crucify! Crucify!" Pilate told them, "You take him. You crucify him. I find nothing wrong with him."
7The Jews answered, "We have a law, and by that law he must die because he claimed to be the Son of God." 8When Pilate heard this, he became even more scared. 9He went back into the palace and said to Jesus, "Where did you come from?" Jesus gave no answer.
10Pilate said, "You won't talk? Don't you know that I have the authority to pardon you, and the authority to--crucify you?" 11Jesus said, "You haven't a shred of authority over me except what has been given you from heaven. That's why the one who betrayed me to you has committed a far greater fault."
12At this, Pilate tried his best to pardon him, but the Jews shouted him down: …..Pilate said, "I am to crucify your king?" The high priests answered, "We have no king except Caesar." 16Pilate caved in to their demand. He turned him over to be crucified. They took Jesus away. John 18:5-12, 15-16
Has anyone ever said mean or hurtful things to you or about you? Think of how you felt. Maybe you were scared, hurt, or really angry.
It is really the bad things that we have done that You are being punished for, Jesus. Please forgive us for the bad things that we say and do to others, and help us to be more like You, by loving people even when they are unkind and always remembering that You paid for our sins on the cross.
Station 2 Jesus Takes His Cross
So Pilate took Jesus and had him whipped. 2The soldiers, having braided a crown from thorns, set it on his head, threw a purple robe over him, 3and approached him with, "Hail, King of the Jews!" Then they greeted him with slaps in the face. John 19:1-3
· Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces.
He has been laughed at and spat upon. Now He must pick up the heavy cross and carry it while the crowd yells. He is so tired and sad, but no one cares.
We care that You were tired and hurting, Jesus. We are sorry that You were sad. We know that You didn’t want this to happen, but were obeying Your Heavenly Father. Help us to be more like You by not always having to have things our own way, but God’s way.
Station 3 Simon of Cyrene Carries the Cross
There was a man walking by, coming from work, Simon from Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. They made him carry Jesus' cross. Mark 15:21
The soldiers are in a hurry. They grab Simon of Cyrene out of the crowd to carry the cross and make Jesus go faster. Jesus was grateful to Simon for his help.
Help us to remember that carrying our crosses honors You. Also, help us to remember that it is OK to have help when we need it and that when we help others, we are doing it for You, Jesus, like Simon did.
Station 4 Jesus Speaks to the Women of Jerusalem
A huge crowd of people followed, along with women weeping and carrying on. 28At one point Jesus turned to the women and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, don't cry for me. Cry for yourselves and for your children. Luke 23:27-28
Jesus, You told the women of Jerusalem to weep for us. Even in Your pain, You remembered us. Thank You. Help us to remember to pray for others and not only think of ourselves.
Station 5 Jesus Is Stripped of His Clothes
Dividing up his clothes, they threw dice for them. 35The people stood there staring at Jesus, and the ringleaders made faces, taunting, "He saved others. Let's see him save himself! The Messiah of God--ha! The Chosen--ha!"
The soldiers also came up and poked fun at him, making a game of it. They toasted him with sour wine:
· Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl.Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink.
"So you're King of the Jews! Save yourself!"
It is hard for us to share or give things away with a good attitude. Sometimes we even have bad feelings when we have to share things we don’t want to share. Jesus, even wounded, bleeding, roughly treated by the guards and mocked by the crowds. You did not have to do this, but You did it to pay the penalty for our sins. Help us to remember that You may ask us to do things that might be embarrassing sometimes for You and help us to do them willingly.
Station 6 Jesus Is Nailed to the Cross
When they got to the place called Skull Hill, they crucified him, along with the criminals, one on his right, the other on his left. 34Jesus prayed, " Father, forgive them; they don't know what they're doing." Luke 23:33-34
39One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don't you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
42Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[f]” 43Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:39-43
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” 27and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. John 19:25-27
Is this the worst? The feet that carried the message of God's love and the hands that healed are pierced with nails as Jesus is nailed to the cross. More wounds, more pain and more humiliation for Jesus.
Jesus, they tried to stop Your hands and feet from doing Your Father's work by nailing You to a cross. You endured the pain of it for us, as You gave Your whole life for us. Help us to have a forgiving heart when others hurt us. Help us to think of others, like You did when You comforted the thief and made sure Your mother had someone to care for her. We thank You and we love You.
Station 7 Jesus Dies Upon the Cross
The whole earth became dark, the darkness lasting three hours-- 45a total blackout. The Temple curtain split right down the middle. 46Jesus called loudly, " Father, I place my life in your hands!" Then he breathed his last. Luke 23:44-46
· Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life.
The sword that Simeon prophesied has pierced Mary's heart.
This child of yours will cause many people in Israel to fall and others to stand. The child will be like a warning sign. Many people will reject him, 35and you, Mary, will suffer as though you had been stabbed by a dagger. But all this will show what people are really thinking." Luke 2:34-35
The hopes of the Apostles are crushed. The veil of the Temple, symbol of the old covenant of God, is torn in two as Jesus' death opens a New Covenant with God.
Jesus, You spoke lovingly to everyone gathered at the foot of Your cross. You knew the new life that Your death would made possible for those who accepted You as their Savior. Help us to always know when we should be telling someone about this wonderful thing that You did for us.
Station 8 Jesus Is Taken From the Cross
When the captain there saw what happened, he honored God: "This man was innocent! A good man, and innocent!"
48All who had come around as spectators to watch the show, when they saw what actually happened, were overcome with grief and headed home.
· Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus's followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.
· Add 1c sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him.
God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die. 17God did not send his Son into the world to condemn its people. He sent him to save them! John 3:16-17
Beat with a mixer on high speed until stiff peaks are formed (12 to15 minutes. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18
50There was a man by the name of Joseph, a member of the Jewish High Council, a man of good heart and good character. 51He had not gone along with the plans and actions of the council. His hometown was the Jewish village of Arimathea. 52He lived in alert expectation of the kingdom of God. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Luke 23:50-52
Now, all that is left is to take Jesus' body down from the cross. All the gentleness, reverence and love that those who loved Jesus wanted to give Him through this terrible day is possible now.
Jesus, with our prayers, we join in taking Your body down from the cross. We touch You; take the nails out, wash your wounds, take off the crown of thorns, with love and sorrow. We are sad, like the disciples and the women who were there, because this was a terrible thing to happen. Help us always to remember that this gift that You gave us was hard for You to do.
Station 9 Jesus Is Laid In the Tomb
Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet.
Taking him down, (Joseph) wrapped him in a linen shroud and placed him in a tomb chiseled into the rock, a tomb never yet used. 54It was the day before Sabbath, the Sabbath just about to begin. Luke 23:53-54
Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.
Even in this time of sorrow, there is help. Joseph of Arimathea arranges for Jesus to be buried in a nearby tomb. His body is wrapped in clothes and sealed away. Everyone walk away, weeping.
Jesus, we have all had to say goodbye to someone, whether for a long or short time. Saying goodbye makes us sad. Thank You that You can always be with us, because of dying on the cross for our sins.
62After sundown, the high priests and Pharisees arranged a meeting with Pilate. 63They said, "Sir, we just remembered that that liar announced while he was still alive, "After three days I will be raised.' 64We've got to get that tomb sealed until the third day. There's a good chance his disciples will come and steal the corpse and then go around saying, "He's risen from the dead.' Then we'll be worse off than before, the final deceit surpassing the first."
65Pilate told them, "You will have a guard. Go ahead and secure it the best you can." 66So they went out and secured the tomb, sealing the stone and posting guards. Matthew 27:62-66
Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.
Leave until Sunday morning...
We use the Easter Cookie Recipe that you can find many places on the internet
Easter Story Cookies
1 cup sugar
1c whole pecans
1tsp vinegar
3 egg whites (room temp)
pinch salt
zipper bag
wooden spoon
tape (duct tape or masking)
Bible (or just this format)
and some of the coloring pictures from this site...I think it is actually a PDF file. (the site address is www.christiancoloring.com/cmpdf2006/stations/stations_booklet.pdf.
If it doesn't work, go to the main site and search for Stations of the Cross. We use pages 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. Yes, it's the Stations of the Cross, but we don't do all the falling down pictures or the one with Veronica. The one of Jesus being nailed to the cross is very effective.
So here is our order for the home service tonight.
Good Friday “Service”
· Preheat oven to 300(this is important-don't wait until you're half done with the recipe)
Station 1 Jesus Is Condemned to Death
Pilate announced, "Here he is: the Man." 6When the high priests and police saw him, they shouted in a frenzy, "Crucify! Crucify!" Pilate told them, "You take him. You crucify him. I find nothing wrong with him."
7The Jews answered, "We have a law, and by that law he must die because he claimed to be the Son of God." 8When Pilate heard this, he became even more scared. 9He went back into the palace and said to Jesus, "Where did you come from?" Jesus gave no answer.
10Pilate said, "You won't talk? Don't you know that I have the authority to pardon you, and the authority to--crucify you?" 11Jesus said, "You haven't a shred of authority over me except what has been given you from heaven. That's why the one who betrayed me to you has committed a far greater fault."
12At this, Pilate tried his best to pardon him, but the Jews shouted him down: …..Pilate said, "I am to crucify your king?" The high priests answered, "We have no king except Caesar." 16Pilate caved in to their demand. He turned him over to be crucified. They took Jesus away. John 18:5-12, 15-16
Has anyone ever said mean or hurtful things to you or about you? Think of how you felt. Maybe you were scared, hurt, or really angry.
It is really the bad things that we have done that You are being punished for, Jesus. Please forgive us for the bad things that we say and do to others, and help us to be more like You, by loving people even when they are unkind and always remembering that You paid for our sins on the cross.
Station 2 Jesus Takes His Cross
So Pilate took Jesus and had him whipped. 2The soldiers, having braided a crown from thorns, set it on his head, threw a purple robe over him, 3and approached him with, "Hail, King of the Jews!" Then they greeted him with slaps in the face. John 19:1-3
· Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces.
He has been laughed at and spat upon. Now He must pick up the heavy cross and carry it while the crowd yells. He is so tired and sad, but no one cares.
We care that You were tired and hurting, Jesus. We are sorry that You were sad. We know that You didn’t want this to happen, but were obeying Your Heavenly Father. Help us to be more like You by not always having to have things our own way, but God’s way.
Station 3 Simon of Cyrene Carries the Cross
There was a man walking by, coming from work, Simon from Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. They made him carry Jesus' cross. Mark 15:21
The soldiers are in a hurry. They grab Simon of Cyrene out of the crowd to carry the cross and make Jesus go faster. Jesus was grateful to Simon for his help.
Help us to remember that carrying our crosses honors You. Also, help us to remember that it is OK to have help when we need it and that when we help others, we are doing it for You, Jesus, like Simon did.
Station 4 Jesus Speaks to the Women of Jerusalem
A huge crowd of people followed, along with women weeping and carrying on. 28At one point Jesus turned to the women and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, don't cry for me. Cry for yourselves and for your children. Luke 23:27-28
Jesus, You told the women of Jerusalem to weep for us. Even in Your pain, You remembered us. Thank You. Help us to remember to pray for others and not only think of ourselves.
Station 5 Jesus Is Stripped of His Clothes
Dividing up his clothes, they threw dice for them. 35The people stood there staring at Jesus, and the ringleaders made faces, taunting, "He saved others. Let's see him save himself! The Messiah of God--ha! The Chosen--ha!"
The soldiers also came up and poked fun at him, making a game of it. They toasted him with sour wine:
· Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl.Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink.
"So you're King of the Jews! Save yourself!"
It is hard for us to share or give things away with a good attitude. Sometimes we even have bad feelings when we have to share things we don’t want to share. Jesus, even wounded, bleeding, roughly treated by the guards and mocked by the crowds. You did not have to do this, but You did it to pay the penalty for our sins. Help us to remember that You may ask us to do things that might be embarrassing sometimes for You and help us to do them willingly.
Station 6 Jesus Is Nailed to the Cross
When they got to the place called Skull Hill, they crucified him, along with the criminals, one on his right, the other on his left. 34Jesus prayed, " Father, forgive them; they don't know what they're doing." Luke 23:33-34
39One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don't you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
42Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[f]” 43Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:39-43
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” 27and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. John 19:25-27
Is this the worst? The feet that carried the message of God's love and the hands that healed are pierced with nails as Jesus is nailed to the cross. More wounds, more pain and more humiliation for Jesus.
Jesus, they tried to stop Your hands and feet from doing Your Father's work by nailing You to a cross. You endured the pain of it for us, as You gave Your whole life for us. Help us to have a forgiving heart when others hurt us. Help us to think of others, like You did when You comforted the thief and made sure Your mother had someone to care for her. We thank You and we love You.
Station 7 Jesus Dies Upon the Cross
The whole earth became dark, the darkness lasting three hours-- 45a total blackout. The Temple curtain split right down the middle. 46Jesus called loudly, " Father, I place my life in your hands!" Then he breathed his last. Luke 23:44-46
· Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life.
The sword that Simeon prophesied has pierced Mary's heart.
This child of yours will cause many people in Israel to fall and others to stand. The child will be like a warning sign. Many people will reject him, 35and you, Mary, will suffer as though you had been stabbed by a dagger. But all this will show what people are really thinking." Luke 2:34-35
The hopes of the Apostles are crushed. The veil of the Temple, symbol of the old covenant of God, is torn in two as Jesus' death opens a New Covenant with God.
Jesus, You spoke lovingly to everyone gathered at the foot of Your cross. You knew the new life that Your death would made possible for those who accepted You as their Savior. Help us to always know when we should be telling someone about this wonderful thing that You did for us.
Station 8 Jesus Is Taken From the Cross
When the captain there saw what happened, he honored God: "This man was innocent! A good man, and innocent!"
48All who had come around as spectators to watch the show, when they saw what actually happened, were overcome with grief and headed home.
· Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus's followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.
· Add 1c sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him.
God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die. 17God did not send his Son into the world to condemn its people. He sent him to save them! John 3:16-17
Beat with a mixer on high speed until stiff peaks are formed (12 to15 minutes. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18
50There was a man by the name of Joseph, a member of the Jewish High Council, a man of good heart and good character. 51He had not gone along with the plans and actions of the council. His hometown was the Jewish village of Arimathea. 52He lived in alert expectation of the kingdom of God. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Luke 23:50-52
Now, all that is left is to take Jesus' body down from the cross. All the gentleness, reverence and love that those who loved Jesus wanted to give Him through this terrible day is possible now.
Jesus, with our prayers, we join in taking Your body down from the cross. We touch You; take the nails out, wash your wounds, take off the crown of thorns, with love and sorrow. We are sad, like the disciples and the women who were there, because this was a terrible thing to happen. Help us always to remember that this gift that You gave us was hard for You to do.
Station 9 Jesus Is Laid In the Tomb
Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet.
Taking him down, (Joseph) wrapped him in a linen shroud and placed him in a tomb chiseled into the rock, a tomb never yet used. 54It was the day before Sabbath, the Sabbath just about to begin. Luke 23:53-54
Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.
Even in this time of sorrow, there is help. Joseph of Arimathea arranges for Jesus to be buried in a nearby tomb. His body is wrapped in clothes and sealed away. Everyone walk away, weeping.
Jesus, we have all had to say goodbye to someone, whether for a long or short time. Saying goodbye makes us sad. Thank You that You can always be with us, because of dying on the cross for our sins.
62After sundown, the high priests and Pharisees arranged a meeting with Pilate. 63They said, "Sir, we just remembered that that liar announced while he was still alive, "After three days I will be raised.' 64We've got to get that tomb sealed until the third day. There's a good chance his disciples will come and steal the corpse and then go around saying, "He's risen from the dead.' Then we'll be worse off than before, the final deceit surpassing the first."
65Pilate told them, "You will have a guard. Go ahead and secure it the best you can." 66So they went out and secured the tomb, sealing the stone and posting guards. Matthew 27:62-66
Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.
Leave until Sunday morning...
Thursday, April 5, 2007
lent+one
We finished our lent calendar last night. Down to Revelation in our audio Bible thing. Kid's Easter Program tonight.
We did our calendar a little differently this year, besides just the "finishing the forty days early". We ended with Jesus in the temple...answering questions like "What is the greatest commandment?" and commenting on the widow's mite. I guess these were the last "public" thoughts from Him as far as what He wanted to talk about. Then the Passover, which I guess by our calendar would be tonight. The betrayal is tonight, too. And Peter's denial. The prayers in the garden...sigh.
As we were listening to our Bible last night, these verses were read... (Hebrews 10:28-30)
28Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"[a] and again, "The Lord will judge his people."
And I've been thinking about it.
"Treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him..."
Wonder what that really means...does it mean
thought about it, but rejected Jesus?
treated His death as no big deal at some point?
gone on (or back to some level of) sinning?
I know that there are times when I have not been as committed to my growth as a believer as I think I am today...times when I have allowed my sins to have precedence over spiritual things...maybe I was treating as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified me. Maybe I was trampling the Son of God underfoot.
That picture makes me cringe...
Anyway, it was interesting to me that our listening last night had that in there and that today is the anniversary of people letting down our Lord right and left.
We did our calendar a little differently this year, besides just the "finishing the forty days early". We ended with Jesus in the temple...answering questions like "What is the greatest commandment?" and commenting on the widow's mite. I guess these were the last "public" thoughts from Him as far as what He wanted to talk about. Then the Passover, which I guess by our calendar would be tonight. The betrayal is tonight, too. And Peter's denial. The prayers in the garden...sigh.
As we were listening to our Bible last night, these verses were read... (Hebrews 10:28-30)
28Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"[a] and again, "The Lord will judge his people."
And I've been thinking about it.
"Treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him..."
Wonder what that really means...does it mean
thought about it, but rejected Jesus?
treated His death as no big deal at some point?
gone on (or back to some level of) sinning?
I know that there are times when I have not been as committed to my growth as a believer as I think I am today...times when I have allowed my sins to have precedence over spiritual things...maybe I was treating as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified me. Maybe I was trampling the Son of God underfoot.
That picture makes me cringe...
Anyway, it was interesting to me that our listening last night had that in there and that today is the anniversary of people letting down our Lord right and left.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
lent thirty nine
Today, my youngest buffalo was watching a video of Little Bear. As part of the film, there are some trailers at the beginning.
I was making lunch and she said, "Mommy! Look! There's.......YAY YAY YAY!!!" (clapping and jumping up and down).
It was actually a little tiny clip of Charlotte's Web along with about 25 others with a song playing. This is not important, but thought you might want to know.
Anyway, they point is, she was surprised and so happy to see it that she couldn't think of the name if the show...but it was exciting to her to see it so she just let her joy take over the moment. I can't even really convey to you the feeling of love and "isn't she cute?" that I had, watching her.
It made me think of this passage... (Mark 10:15)
15Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive and accept and welcome the kingdom of God like a little child [does] positively shall not enter it at all.
I wonder if when we see Jesus, if it will be like that?
"Look, There's....YAY! YAY! YAY!" and clapping and jumping up and down.
Among other things...
I was making lunch and she said, "Mommy! Look! There's.......YAY YAY YAY!!!" (clapping and jumping up and down).
It was actually a little tiny clip of Charlotte's Web along with about 25 others with a song playing. This is not important, but thought you might want to know.
Anyway, they point is, she was surprised and so happy to see it that she couldn't think of the name if the show...but it was exciting to her to see it so she just let her joy take over the moment. I can't even really convey to you the feeling of love and "isn't she cute?" that I had, watching her.
It made me think of this passage... (Mark 10:15)
15Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive and accept and welcome the kingdom of God like a little child [does] positively shall not enter it at all.
I wonder if when we see Jesus, if it will be like that?
"Look, There's....YAY! YAY! YAY!" and clapping and jumping up and down.
Among other things...
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Lent day 37
Had the egg hunt today (not an Easter Egg Hunt...a Spring Egg Hunt with a Spring Tea afterwards...)....the weather was awful last night, so I didn't see any way that we could have it outside, but we did and it was fine.
Recorded the working vocal on another song...Psalm 62:11-12a
"One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong,
and that you, O Lord, are loving."
The Guitar Hero really outdid himself this time on the music...so so excellent. I am planning to do the "real" vocal next Saturday...
Tomorrow we are doing our Passover remembrance because we have an immovable conflict on Monday. I don't like that, but it will still be good. This is our third year of doing it, and some in our group feel that it is one of the best holidays we celebrate. I am sure it is not exactly what a Jewish family would do, but for us it is meaningful. I used to call it Passover, but as I said, it's not exactly right, so thus the fudging of the name.
As Lent draws to a close, I look back on my plans for it....I didn't even get near to what I thought I would do. And now my life is going to be completely different for awhile than what I would have thought almost 40 days ago. But it's been good. And I will keep plugging away at my goals...and will try to keep my priorities in line. They got kind of out of whack there for a bit.
I have been sitting here for about 5 minutes just kind of staring off...I just have a real feeling of general peace right now...I hope it stays...it's not that everything is going perfectly, but at least for now, I am not twisted up about anything. I am feeling thankful for my friends, thankful for the music that God gives me, thankful for my family, thankful for God's hand in my life. I still have some things to work on, to work out, etc, but I have a peace that that will happen. And then there will probably be other things, but that's OK.
Enough of that...nice to feel but boring to read I am sure....thanks for reading it anyway.
Recorded the working vocal on another song...Psalm 62:11-12a
"One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong,
and that you, O Lord, are loving."
The Guitar Hero really outdid himself this time on the music...so so excellent. I am planning to do the "real" vocal next Saturday...
Tomorrow we are doing our Passover remembrance because we have an immovable conflict on Monday. I don't like that, but it will still be good. This is our third year of doing it, and some in our group feel that it is one of the best holidays we celebrate. I am sure it is not exactly what a Jewish family would do, but for us it is meaningful. I used to call it Passover, but as I said, it's not exactly right, so thus the fudging of the name.
As Lent draws to a close, I look back on my plans for it....I didn't even get near to what I thought I would do. And now my life is going to be completely different for awhile than what I would have thought almost 40 days ago. But it's been good. And I will keep plugging away at my goals...and will try to keep my priorities in line. They got kind of out of whack there for a bit.
I have been sitting here for about 5 minutes just kind of staring off...I just have a real feeling of general peace right now...I hope it stays...it's not that everything is going perfectly, but at least for now, I am not twisted up about anything. I am feeling thankful for my friends, thankful for the music that God gives me, thankful for my family, thankful for God's hand in my life. I still have some things to work on, to work out, etc, but I have a peace that that will happen. And then there will probably be other things, but that's OK.
Enough of that...nice to feel but boring to read I am sure....thanks for reading it anyway.
Monday, March 26, 2007
lent day thirty three
Grace...
Today was the first day that the kids were back in school... We were all ready on time and I made great time to the school.
As I was heading back, I was thinking about all the things I wanted to accomplish today.
All of a sudden, I realized that I was whipping through a school zone. Probably about 35, but faster than the speed limit.
I abruptly put on the brakes.
I looked in the rearview mirror, and there was a police car behind me.
I proceeded to give myself a good talking to.
"Stupid stupid stupid...you totally deserve the ticket you are about to get."
I wasn't really mad about the ticket...I was just mad at myself because I should have been more careful. I have kids, too, and I want people to pay attention.
The police car followed me for about a block, then sped up, got in the left turn lane and drove away.
Not with sirens or flashing lights...just drove away. I was relieved, of course...and amazed that I didn't get ticketed.
I knew I deserved it.
And I carefully drove home.
Today was the first day that the kids were back in school... We were all ready on time and I made great time to the school.
As I was heading back, I was thinking about all the things I wanted to accomplish today.
All of a sudden, I realized that I was whipping through a school zone. Probably about 35, but faster than the speed limit.
I abruptly put on the brakes.
I looked in the rearview mirror, and there was a police car behind me.
I proceeded to give myself a good talking to.
"Stupid stupid stupid...you totally deserve the ticket you are about to get."
I wasn't really mad about the ticket...I was just mad at myself because I should have been more careful. I have kids, too, and I want people to pay attention.
The police car followed me for about a block, then sped up, got in the left turn lane and drove away.
Not with sirens or flashing lights...just drove away. I was relieved, of course...and amazed that I didn't get ticketed.
I knew I deserved it.
And I carefully drove home.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
lent day sunday
Keep meaning to do this, but I don't seem to have the memory of a g-nat....
God blesses those people
who want to obey him more than to eat or drink.
They will be given what they want! Matthew 5:6
Doesn't this say that if a person wants to obey God, He blesses them and helps them to obey Him? And if we are to obey Him, doesn't that mean that there are commands to obey?
We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:3-6
So what is His Word? The 10 Commandments? Matthew 5-8? Every word that came out of Jesus' mouth? Anything said in the Bible at all? I am not sure about that...what He meant. I think that when He said
And He said to him, " 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.'
"This is the great and foremost commandment.
"The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.'
"On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets." Matt. 22:37-40
I don't think He meant that now we just tell God we love Him and thank Him for His grace and "love" everyone and go forget the rest. I think He meant,
"Think about Me all the time and consider me in all you do...and follow what I say in My Word. And love people, and by that, I mean treat them in the way that I describe here in My Word."
Because we don't know what love is, really, or how to do it.
We all want the quick answer...the cliff notes to the Bible....we want to somehow "sense" what the right thing is, and how to treat people. If I can read (and I can) I think that it is my responsibility to learn all I can from what He has given already in His Word...and this is not a burden...it is the Words of the One Who loves us more than anyone else ever could.
Why is it so hard to take time to see what He has to say to us? Or hear it? Dramatized audio NIV? Played in the car on the way to work? But even that sometimes is hard to start...It has to be our flesh that makes us unwilling and I am guilty of this as much as anyone.
I am so thankful for His Word. That is the standard by which we are to live. I fall short so many times, but it is a comfort to me to have it there to guide my life when I am willing to follow.
And when I am trying to follow His Word, it is not because I am trying to buy my salvation or win my way to the front of the line by being the best...it is because I am so thankful for what He has done for me, both on the cross and everything before and since.
I am amazed at His attention toward me and His love for me. (and not just me, but anyone who is reading this). And there is no way I could ever even the score, but why not try?
Why not try to do everything He says?
Why not try to live better than what I am?
Why not say to myself, "You are not going to
participate in,
listen to,
watch,
think about,
act like,
talk like
that... because you are God's child and He deserves better from you?".
I want to do what He asks me to do in His Word...it is not a begrudged thing...in my heart I want to please Him.
Not out of fear, or a sense of working for my salvation, but out of gratitude.
Thank You, God, for the boundaries You put in place...and thank You for Your precious Word that tells us how to live.
God blesses those people
who want to obey him more than to eat or drink.
They will be given what they want! Matthew 5:6
Doesn't this say that if a person wants to obey God, He blesses them and helps them to obey Him? And if we are to obey Him, doesn't that mean that there are commands to obey?
We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:3-6
So what is His Word? The 10 Commandments? Matthew 5-8? Every word that came out of Jesus' mouth? Anything said in the Bible at all? I am not sure about that...what He meant. I think that when He said
And He said to him, " 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.'
"This is the great and foremost commandment.
"The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.'
"On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets." Matt. 22:37-40
I don't think He meant that now we just tell God we love Him and thank Him for His grace and "love" everyone and go forget the rest. I think He meant,
"Think about Me all the time and consider me in all you do...and follow what I say in My Word. And love people, and by that, I mean treat them in the way that I describe here in My Word."
Because we don't know what love is, really, or how to do it.
We all want the quick answer...the cliff notes to the Bible....we want to somehow "sense" what the right thing is, and how to treat people. If I can read (and I can) I think that it is my responsibility to learn all I can from what He has given already in His Word...and this is not a burden...it is the Words of the One Who loves us more than anyone else ever could.
Why is it so hard to take time to see what He has to say to us? Or hear it? Dramatized audio NIV? Played in the car on the way to work? But even that sometimes is hard to start...It has to be our flesh that makes us unwilling and I am guilty of this as much as anyone.
I am so thankful for His Word. That is the standard by which we are to live. I fall short so many times, but it is a comfort to me to have it there to guide my life when I am willing to follow.
And when I am trying to follow His Word, it is not because I am trying to buy my salvation or win my way to the front of the line by being the best...it is because I am so thankful for what He has done for me, both on the cross and everything before and since.
I am amazed at His attention toward me and His love for me. (and not just me, but anyone who is reading this). And there is no way I could ever even the score, but why not try?
Why not try to do everything He says?
Why not try to live better than what I am?
Why not say to myself, "You are not going to
participate in,
listen to,
watch,
think about,
act like,
talk like
that... because you are God's child and He deserves better from you?".
I want to do what He asks me to do in His Word...it is not a begrudged thing...in my heart I want to please Him.
Not out of fear, or a sense of working for my salvation, but out of gratitude.
Thank You, God, for the boundaries You put in place...and thank You for Your precious Word that tells us how to live.
Friday, March 23, 2007
lent day twenty eight
Well, although Spring Break has been fabulous, I haven't done much in the packing/organizing arena...It makes me laugh to read my posts that were gearing up for this break.
Still plugging away (in a good way) on the New Testament.
I guess the other thing that has been significant is that the mindset I have tried to have regarding the Sabbath (which is basically
1. getting everything done that I can,
2. trying to prepare my heart and life as best I can and then
3. giving myself permission to let go of those unrelenting tasks for Sundays)
has kind of spilled over to this week.
I am not allowing myself to get all balled up about things not going according to my plan.
I am not allowing myself to worry about things during times when I need to be in the moment with my family.
I am not allowing myself to feel torn between the things that aren't getting done and the things I am doing.
I am not allowing myself to be overtaken with feelings of entitlism or worrying that things may be passing me by.
And it hasn't been a big fight to do that. That is the amazing part for me.
I am still going to work on things...I am still going to plan....I am still going to have goals...but if things happen as they sometimes do, and I don't accomplish everything :-), I will adjust, regroup, reflect, and start over. That's the plan for now, anyway.
Monday, March 19, 2007
lent day twenty five
Packed a few boxes...got my hair colored. Downloaded the moving essay from FlyLady. Going to try to pack up a few more things before the day is out. In looking at our stuff to get rid of, I am wondering if we might want to have a garage sale or just send it all to Goodwill. Guess there is time to think about that.
Although I still am enjoying the audio Bible, the story type books are easier to follow. We are now in 1 Corinthians...it's good but you have to really pay attention. Sometimes I go back and listen again during the day.
AT THIS MOMENT I would say that my victory (although only partial) is that I think I have given myself permission to let things go on Sunday...things that might be bothering me, stressing me out, concerning me on other days...I have been able to allow myself to have a day off from those things, which is excellent.
I am still pressing on to the ultimate of having things more under control...and I think I will reach that at some point. With the move, I am not sure it will be Easter, but you never know.:-)
Bleep Blop Buffalo and I are having some quality time tonight...we are watching a video, playing some games, eating whatever dinner we want...stuff like that. Mr. Buffalo and the two older Buffaloes are out doing big kid stuff...
Not getting as much done and I would like, but I am pretty good with it. It will get done.
Although I still am enjoying the audio Bible, the story type books are easier to follow. We are now in 1 Corinthians...it's good but you have to really pay attention. Sometimes I go back and listen again during the day.
AT THIS MOMENT I would say that my victory (although only partial) is that I think I have given myself permission to let things go on Sunday...things that might be bothering me, stressing me out, concerning me on other days...I have been able to allow myself to have a day off from those things, which is excellent.
I am still pressing on to the ultimate of having things more under control...and I think I will reach that at some point. With the move, I am not sure it will be Easter, but you never know.:-)
Bleep Blop Buffalo and I are having some quality time tonight...we are watching a video, playing some games, eating whatever dinner we want...stuff like that. Mr. Buffalo and the two older Buffaloes are out doing big kid stuff...
Not getting as much done and I would like, but I am pretty good with it. It will get done.
Friday, March 16, 2007
lent 23
OK, I don't think this is really the 23rd day of lent, but as per usual, we Buffaloes are doing it our own way.
I counted up to the Resurrection and took out Good Friday (because we have a thing we do that day already) and the school program for Easter, and Passover (because the Seder takes up a goodly portion of the evening), and that pretty much meant we had to go every day to get 40 before the end. So just ignore that number in the title.
This is the beginning of Spring Break...I have already informed the rest of the herd that we will be packing quite a bit of the break (did I mention that we are moving? Just across town)...Mr. Buffalo will be here, no driving from here to eternity to get everyone to school...I have high hopes of getting some stuff done.
The big move will be the beginning of May I think.
As a result of a casual remark about some women looking "mommish" (and that is all I am going to say about it) made by another, I have been completely loyal to the Atkins plan for the last 10 days...it really does work if you are serious with it. I am back to the mindset that "I am never going to look any younger than I do today, and if I am going to get into shape, this is the time"...
Almost through with Acts...it was great....get the audio if you can. Really fun.
OK...off to straighten for the weekend...because "my family is my primary ministry (thank you, Priscilla) "...and they would like to have a straight house to enjoy the weekend in, I think.
Then off to make a master list for next week...
I counted up to the Resurrection and took out Good Friday (because we have a thing we do that day already) and the school program for Easter, and Passover (because the Seder takes up a goodly portion of the evening), and that pretty much meant we had to go every day to get 40 before the end. So just ignore that number in the title.
This is the beginning of Spring Break...I have already informed the rest of the herd that we will be packing quite a bit of the break (did I mention that we are moving? Just across town)...Mr. Buffalo will be here, no driving from here to eternity to get everyone to school...I have high hopes of getting some stuff done.
The big move will be the beginning of May I think.
As a result of a casual remark about some women looking "mommish" (and that is all I am going to say about it) made by another, I have been completely loyal to the Atkins plan for the last 10 days...it really does work if you are serious with it. I am back to the mindset that "I am never going to look any younger than I do today, and if I am going to get into shape, this is the time"...
Almost through with Acts...it was great....get the audio if you can. Really fun.
OK...off to straighten for the weekend...because "my family is my primary ministry (thank you, Priscilla) "...and they would like to have a straight house to enjoy the weekend in, I think.
Then off to make a master list for next week...
Thursday, March 15, 2007
lent day 20, I think
lent day thursday...:-)
Did not follow through with my Bible Study this week...I think it would have been good for me, too...talked about (in part) how our families should not be viewed as an interruption but as our area of ministry.
Sometimes that is tough...like if I feel pressure on getting a song done or practicing for conducting the choir and one of the other Buffaloes needs me...it's irritating...
So now, memo to self...keep the family as a top priority and trust that God will work out whatever needs to be worked out to get the other things done...and if I am wasting time, help me to see it and be motivated to stop it.
Bible listening still going very well...I can't believe I have never done it before. So so good.
Next week is Spring Break. Hoping to really make a dent in our purging/organizing...that is the part where I have been lacking...
Did not follow through with my Bible Study this week...I think it would have been good for me, too...talked about (in part) how our families should not be viewed as an interruption but as our area of ministry.
Sometimes that is tough...like if I feel pressure on getting a song done or practicing for conducting the choir and one of the other Buffaloes needs me...it's irritating...
So now, memo to self...keep the family as a top priority and trust that God will work out whatever needs to be worked out to get the other things done...and if I am wasting time, help me to see it and be motivated to stop it.
Bible listening still going very well...I can't believe I have never done it before. So so good.
Next week is Spring Break. Hoping to really make a dent in our purging/organizing...that is the part where I have been lacking...
Thursday, March 8, 2007
lent day something:-)
Not sure what day we are on. Ever started something that was going so well and then through no fault of your own, it started kind of unraveling? Well, I am not sure that I am blameless here, but it just seems that alot of my days are not working toward my final goal and I don't understand why...
Not going into details here, but life is happening, even though I am holding pretty well to my lent fasting...back to center on the Bible listening (have I mentioned that it is very entertaining and excellent?) and the thing I have actually given up has given me a measure of freedom, but not the freedom to make tremendous progress on my goals...Not sure what that means...So I am just (figuratively) looking at my feet and taking one step and then another, trying not to concern myself with the outcome, but doing my part every day.
My cousin is here this weekend and she is always fun to be around, so that has been new and different.
Must go do some stuff before I pick up the little buffaloes.
Field trip tomorrow, so may check in or not....
Thanks for stopping by.
Not going into details here, but life is happening, even though I am holding pretty well to my lent fasting...back to center on the Bible listening (have I mentioned that it is very entertaining and excellent?) and the thing I have actually given up has given me a measure of freedom, but not the freedom to make tremendous progress on my goals...Not sure what that means...So I am just (figuratively) looking at my feet and taking one step and then another, trying not to concern myself with the outcome, but doing my part every day.
My cousin is here this weekend and she is always fun to be around, so that has been new and different.
Must go do some stuff before I pick up the little buffaloes.
Field trip tomorrow, so may check in or not....
Thanks for stopping by.
Monday, March 5, 2007
lent day 12
The last 24 hours have been a real shortfall of where I would have thought things should have been by this time today.
We did NOT listen to our Bible thing last night. I feel bad about that and I know that we can double listen and get caught up, but still...(perfectionism)
Yesterday was a combination of constant stressful activity and again attempting to nurse sick people to health...
Eating carbs yesterday and today (probably because I am entitled to..ugh)
I wasn't aware of all the things I was going to have to do today until this morning and the list keeps getting longer...not liking that. And none none none of it is working toward my lenten goals :-).
So back to the jobs I need to do...just checking in.
We did NOT listen to our Bible thing last night. I feel bad about that and I know that we can double listen and get caught up, but still...(perfectionism)
Yesterday was a combination of constant stressful activity and again attempting to nurse sick people to health...
Eating carbs yesterday and today (probably because I am entitled to..ugh)
I wasn't aware of all the things I was going to have to do today until this morning and the list keeps getting longer...not liking that. And none none none of it is working toward my lenten goals :-).
So back to the jobs I need to do...just checking in.
Saturday, March 3, 2007
lent day ten
Well, I am noticing that I didn't post yesterday and the world did not implode...funny how I get a sense of inflated self importance...
So, sick buffalo-ettes here...a remnant still remains...
Mr. Buffalo is home today.
Recorded another song...so that's 2 for 6. :-)
On track with the Bible listening. Still liking it.
Cleaned out the car today.
Taking down the snowmen from the mantel today, I think. I don't like jobs like that (or cleaning the car for that matter) because they are not contributing to my goal, but they still need to be done.
May try to clean out a couple of drawers or something.
Something....
Grudgingly I have to say that my "lent fast" item has in fact, given me more time in my day, and that on the whole I am more relaxed...kind of funny.
Checking my list of things to do for a relaxed Sabbath, and then I am out of here...
I think this is all actually working.
So, sick buffalo-ettes here...a remnant still remains...
Mr. Buffalo is home today.
Recorded another song...so that's 2 for 6. :-)
On track with the Bible listening. Still liking it.
Cleaned out the car today.
Taking down the snowmen from the mantel today, I think. I don't like jobs like that (or cleaning the car for that matter) because they are not contributing to my goal, but they still need to be done.
May try to clean out a couple of drawers or something.
Something....
Grudgingly I have to say that my "lent fast" item has in fact, given me more time in my day, and that on the whole I am more relaxed...kind of funny.
Checking my list of things to do for a relaxed Sabbath, and then I am out of here...
I think this is all actually working.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
lent day eight
Entitlement and Perfectionism
One of the smartest people, Biblically, that I ever knew once said (my loose paraphrase), "When I experience a trial, I say to the Lord, 'Lord, please help me to learn the lesson I am supposed to learn this time around so I don't have to do this again.'"
And yet, when I was going through a kind of rough day (yesterday) with my kids sick at home and all, what did I do once I had alone time? I got them all to bed for a nap and came down the stairs and said to myself, "Now, I am going to relax and spend some time on the computer...(first mistake...see here...) I would like to put a counter on my blog that counts down to the end of lent/Resurrection Sunday. Where did I find that the last time?"
Looking
looking
looking
dink
dink
dink
for over an hour...
(second mistake...see here)
Entitlement and perfectionism...
I am entitled to do this because my day, on the whole, has not been pleasant, and I will allow myself to be caught up in this little rabbit trail until it is completed (perfectionism) even though it is worthless in the grand scheme of things and it is eating away at my only flexible time.
Do you care how many days there are until Lent is over? I suspect you do not...
So, again last night and this morning I was ripping through my Bible Study so I would be finished in time for the discussion.
And it was excellent.
And just what I needed...all about making a plan of attack to get yourself together spiritually.
HOW are you going to make time for a quiet time?
HOW are you going to remember to pray in your day?
etc.
I love that kind of stuff...and yet, there I was yesterday, dinking around...
So that I don't wallow in the regret of this, I am purposing now to do my lesson over some days...in the morning...before everyone else gets up.
There...another problem solved...check back with me on March 15th and see how I did.
:-)
One of the smartest people, Biblically, that I ever knew once said (my loose paraphrase), "When I experience a trial, I say to the Lord, 'Lord, please help me to learn the lesson I am supposed to learn this time around so I don't have to do this again.'"
And yet, when I was going through a kind of rough day (yesterday) with my kids sick at home and all, what did I do once I had alone time? I got them all to bed for a nap and came down the stairs and said to myself, "Now, I am going to relax and spend some time on the computer...(first mistake...see here...) I would like to put a counter on my blog that counts down to the end of lent/Resurrection Sunday. Where did I find that the last time?"
Looking
looking
looking
dink
dink
dink
for over an hour...
(second mistake...see here)
Entitlement and perfectionism...
I am entitled to do this because my day, on the whole, has not been pleasant, and I will allow myself to be caught up in this little rabbit trail until it is completed (perfectionism) even though it is worthless in the grand scheme of things and it is eating away at my only flexible time.
Do you care how many days there are until Lent is over? I suspect you do not...
So, again last night and this morning I was ripping through my Bible Study so I would be finished in time for the discussion.
And it was excellent.
And just what I needed...all about making a plan of attack to get yourself together spiritually.
HOW are you going to make time for a quiet time?
HOW are you going to remember to pray in your day?
etc.
I love that kind of stuff...and yet, there I was yesterday, dinking around...
So that I don't wallow in the regret of this, I am purposing now to do my lesson over some days...in the morning...before everyone else gets up.
There...another problem solved...check back with me on March 15th and see how I did.
:-)
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
lent day seven
Saw another blog that is kind of artsy/dramatic that was just numbering the lent days with all small letters, so I thought, "Well, I'm cool like that too, right?", so here it is....edgy number titles...
Thought about renumbering all previous lent days, but that would be perfectionism and I am trying not to go there.
Today...actually last night Big Girl Buffalo got that kind of glassy boiled eye look. She has whatever it is that is going around...with a fever.
This morning Big Brother Buffalo (going with that, since he would faint if he thought I was calling him "big boy..." he's way too big for that.) was kind of pouting about having to go to school (pouting...that is not a big person word...maybe "acting sullen") and when I took his temp, he too, was over the century mark. So everyone is home and everyone is worse now than they were this morning. Ahhhh motherhood.:-)
So I worked on (finished) the laundry bathroom, cleaned a couple of drawers in the kitchen, started on the storage area...and that is where the feeling of overwhelm-ness began. It is mostly a room of decorations...which is funny because lots of times there isn't time to put them up. Snowmen are still on my mantel. And big party stuff...like big 25 cup coffee pots, electric roasting pans for keeping food warm, chafing dishes, Christmas party decor...
Sooo....do I get rid of a bunch of decorations? Do I really want to "go there" at this stage of the game? If I start that kind of cleaning (picking through), I may spend the rest of my lent time there. OH...and there are all of our pre-digital photo photos...which need desperately to be put into albums...BIG boxes of that stuff...
Everywhere else I had really been getting rid of lots of stuff...in here I was at a standstill, wondering what to do, move, etc.
That may be all I get done today in the cleaning/purging/organizing area. Not what I would have hoped for....but it was OK, I think.
Mr. Buffalo and I got caught up to Mark 6 last night...so we are back on track.
One thing I am trying to remember here is that I don't have to see how this is all going to turn out. I just need to do my part every day.
Thanks for visiting...
Thought about renumbering all previous lent days, but that would be perfectionism and I am trying not to go there.
Today...actually last night Big Girl Buffalo got that kind of glassy boiled eye look. She has whatever it is that is going around...with a fever.
This morning Big Brother Buffalo (going with that, since he would faint if he thought I was calling him "big boy..." he's way too big for that.) was kind of pouting about having to go to school (pouting...that is not a big person word...maybe "acting sullen") and when I took his temp, he too, was over the century mark. So everyone is home and everyone is worse now than they were this morning. Ahhhh motherhood.:-)
So I worked on (finished) the laundry bathroom, cleaned a couple of drawers in the kitchen, started on the storage area...and that is where the feeling of overwhelm-ness began. It is mostly a room of decorations...which is funny because lots of times there isn't time to put them up. Snowmen are still on my mantel. And big party stuff...like big 25 cup coffee pots, electric roasting pans for keeping food warm, chafing dishes, Christmas party decor...
Sooo....do I get rid of a bunch of decorations? Do I really want to "go there" at this stage of the game? If I start that kind of cleaning (picking through), I may spend the rest of my lent time there. OH...and there are all of our pre-digital photo photos...which need desperately to be put into albums...BIG boxes of that stuff...
Everywhere else I had really been getting rid of lots of stuff...in here I was at a standstill, wondering what to do, move, etc.
That may be all I get done today in the cleaning/purging/organizing area. Not what I would have hoped for....but it was OK, I think.
Mr. Buffalo and I got caught up to Mark 6 last night...so we are back on track.
One thing I am trying to remember here is that I don't have to see how this is all going to turn out. I just need to do my part every day.
Thanks for visiting...
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Body and Soul Days
are not turning out to be my most productive...
That does not make me happy...
So today we did Body and Soul, which was good, ate lunch, I wrote out the next Scripture Song (which was a good thing to do), did my Amazing Race blog (late), and now it is already time to pick up the little buffaloes.
I am going to have to figure out what went wrong today and devise a better plan.
Oh...in the spirit of full disclosure I did also download a couple of granny square patterns...probably shouldn't have done that.
Going to try to redeem the afternoon...and spend some time with BB Buffalo, BG Buffalo and Bleep Blop Buffalo...A tall order...we'll see how it goes...
Did not get to listen to Matthew 25-28 last night...Mr. Buffalo had a work thing and we are supposed to do it together. So I just read it in the Message. It was very good and I think we will listen to the above and the next one tonight. Have I told you how great this audio Bible thing is?:-)
That does not make me happy...
So today we did Body and Soul, which was good, ate lunch, I wrote out the next Scripture Song (which was a good thing to do), did my Amazing Race blog (late), and now it is already time to pick up the little buffaloes.
I am going to have to figure out what went wrong today and devise a better plan.
Oh...in the spirit of full disclosure I did also download a couple of granny square patterns...probably shouldn't have done that.
Going to try to redeem the afternoon...and spend some time with BB Buffalo, BG Buffalo and Bleep Blop Buffalo...A tall order...we'll see how it goes...
Did not get to listen to Matthew 25-28 last night...Mr. Buffalo had a work thing and we are supposed to do it together. So I just read it in the Message. It was very good and I think we will listen to the above and the next one tonight. Have I told you how great this audio Bible thing is?:-)
Monday, February 26, 2007
Working the Program
So today, because I am doing things around the house that need doing (extra things, not just your normal stuff)
- I bought a replacement handle for our extra bathroom shower
- put it on (howzabout that?)
- cleaned Bleep Blob Buffalo's closet out (we had tons of baby stuff in there...clothes that belonged to Bis Sis Buffalo of all sized thrown (yes thrown) all over the floor, etc etc...all organized now and the baby stuff is out of there), and worked on cabinets in the extra bathroom (which contained enough disposable flatware and cups for now until Christmas...did I just never check in there before buying more????)
- and the Guitar Hero and I put together another Scripture song for the upcoming Bible Study...it is Jeremiah 33:2-3 and it is really fun...when I get it put together with my real vocal on it I will try to post here...
That's all I know for now...we are almost done with Matthew, and I am here to say that while I love to read the Bible, this is almost addicting to me. I have been listening to the CDs in the kitchen when I am cooking (all the previous ones...not working ahead) and it is as good as listening to a soap or something...The dramatized version...that is what you want.
Back tomorrow, I hope.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Lent Day 4
So far I have not succumbed to the temptation of renigging on my lent pledge. Mr. Buffalo and I have been listening to the New Testament on CD...I mean MP3. An audio deal. It has been fun. 25 minutes a day and it is entertaining.
Mr. Buffalo had an interesting thought the other day. He says that when we "fast" something for lent, we should replace it with something else, or else we are just giving up something...not necessarily using that event to get closer to God. So I was pretty happy that we were doing the 40 day read through the Bible thing. Here is the company that has the one we are using
Faith Comes By Hearing
I have been getting some things done as well...not a huge amount yet, because I have some outside non-housework related responsibilites that sometimes need attention too.
Maybe I will fast those next lent.
kidding!
I have felt really relaxed today though, and that is not my usual feeling. Just that feeling that you get when you feel like you are pointed in the right direction...it's not perfect, but at least I feel like I am making progress. Peaceful...
So today, I have worked on a song, done laundry, changed sheets on beds, played Candyland and read books with the kids...Going to review my list for a relaxed/focused Sunday and take care of those things...
Don't know how to explain it...it's like somehow I got "permission" to enjoy my family when they are home. I know that sound bizarre, but I haven't felt that in a long time.
OK, back to them...see you Monday.
Mr. Buffalo had an interesting thought the other day. He says that when we "fast" something for lent, we should replace it with something else, or else we are just giving up something...not necessarily using that event to get closer to God. So I was pretty happy that we were doing the 40 day read through the Bible thing. Here is the company that has the one we are using
Faith Comes By Hearing
I have been getting some things done as well...not a huge amount yet, because I have some outside non-housework related responsibilites that sometimes need attention too.
Maybe I will fast those next lent.
kidding!
I have felt really relaxed today though, and that is not my usual feeling. Just that feeling that you get when you feel like you are pointed in the right direction...it's not perfect, but at least I feel like I am making progress. Peaceful...
So today, I have worked on a song, done laundry, changed sheets on beds, played Candyland and read books with the kids...Going to review my list for a relaxed/focused Sunday and take care of those things...
Don't know how to explain it...it's like somehow I got "permission" to enjoy my family when they are home. I know that sound bizarre, but I haven't felt that in a long time.
OK, back to them...see you Monday.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Ash Wednesday
Making my list and checking it twice...not my list of things to do for Lent...my list of loose ends to tie up before we get going on this. I think I have warned anyone who might be affected with my Lent stuff...
Found our Lent Calendar...kind of like an Advent Calendar. I wasn't sure where I had put it (see, those are the kinds of things I hope to fix over the next few weeks) but I did find it. Just need to put it up now. Tonight we will have our own Ash Wednesday remembrance...we have done this for a number of years. We use this page as the reading...then we actually do ashes (here is a page dealing with that)...it is a powerful visual for the children...for all of us really.
Tomorrow I am going to be completely out of pocket, so anything I normally do on Thursday I am going to try to do today. That's what I know for today, I think. Tomorrow will not be a work day, but Friday things are going to get serious. The more I think about it, the more I think this is going to be helpful to me...
Found our Lent Calendar...kind of like an Advent Calendar. I wasn't sure where I had put it (see, those are the kinds of things I hope to fix over the next few weeks) but I did find it. Just need to put it up now. Tonight we will have our own Ash Wednesday remembrance...we have done this for a number of years. We use this page as the reading...then we actually do ashes (here is a page dealing with that)...it is a powerful visual for the children...for all of us really.
Tomorrow I am going to be completely out of pocket, so anything I normally do on Thursday I am going to try to do today. That's what I know for today, I think. Tomorrow will not be a work day, but Friday things are going to get serious. The more I think about it, the more I think this is going to be helpful to me...
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Tomorrow is the day...
So what does this mean? The last 2-3 days the thing that I am giving up for Lent...well, it has not really been made available to me. What is with that?
Is this God helping me to ease out by making it kind of a non-event beforehand? I don't know.
It's kind of like going on a diet and saying that you are going to have the one big final ice cream blowout and your heater goes out and the temp drops to 25 degrees...it's not that you couldn't have it, but the situation is not lending itself to it. Not sure whether to feel relieved or shorted.
So during this time from Wednesday February 21 to Sunday April 8, I am going to really work on projects that are the underlying physical reasons why my weeks don't go smoothly...Not the surface stuff that we all try to keep up with every day, but the stuff that I never seem to have time for. My theory is that if I get all that cleared out, the day to day stuff should be easy to do, and having my Sundays should be a natural result. I probably should get one of those big dumpsters to set in front of my house...but I'm not going to.:-).
I am also planning to read the New Testament through during Lent...actually I got a set of CDs...I think they are in MP3 format, from KLOVE radio station at Christmas...and they have broken down the New Testament into 40 days of readings. 25 minutes a day I think. I've never listened to the Bible that way, so it should be interesting.
Thanks for reading...I'll be back tomorrow for the final prep.
Is this God helping me to ease out by making it kind of a non-event beforehand? I don't know.
It's kind of like going on a diet and saying that you are going to have the one big final ice cream blowout and your heater goes out and the temp drops to 25 degrees...it's not that you couldn't have it, but the situation is not lending itself to it. Not sure whether to feel relieved or shorted.
So during this time from Wednesday February 21 to Sunday April 8, I am going to really work on projects that are the underlying physical reasons why my weeks don't go smoothly...Not the surface stuff that we all try to keep up with every day, but the stuff that I never seem to have time for. My theory is that if I get all that cleared out, the day to day stuff should be easy to do, and having my Sundays should be a natural result. I probably should get one of those big dumpsters to set in front of my house...but I'm not going to.:-).
I am also planning to read the New Testament through during Lent...actually I got a set of CDs...I think they are in MP3 format, from KLOVE radio station at Christmas...and they have broken down the New Testament into 40 days of readings. 25 minutes a day I think. I've never listened to the Bible that way, so it should be interesting.
Thanks for reading...I'll be back tomorrow for the final prep.
Monday, February 19, 2007
3 Days to Ash Wednesday and Lent
so here is what happened this weekend.
Big Boy Buffalo wanted everyone to tell what they were doing for Lent. And Mr. Buffalo replied by paraphrasing Matthew 6:16-18...encouraging him not to make a big deal of it. So of course I knew that I needed to not make a big deal of it either...that Mr. Buffalo...taking all the fun out of everything...
So if you read the two previous posts, I have removed the details of my "fast"...
I have been looking at this site for Lent things...not for any particular reason, but it is kind of a realistic take on Lent if you are interested.
So on another note, I also took care of a yard problem that we have had for many weeks...I need to make a list of things that I am going to do over these days to maximize the impact.
This is going to be OK, I think. I just need to get myself in gear. Focused...Organized.
Big Boy Buffalo wanted everyone to tell what they were doing for Lent. And Mr. Buffalo replied by paraphrasing Matthew 6:16-18...encouraging him not to make a big deal of it. So of course I knew that I needed to not make a big deal of it either...that Mr. Buffalo...taking all the fun out of everything...
So if you read the two previous posts, I have removed the details of my "fast"...
I have been looking at this site for Lent things...not for any particular reason, but it is kind of a realistic take on Lent if you are interested.
So on another note, I also took care of a yard problem that we have had for many weeks...I need to make a list of things that I am going to do over these days to maximize the impact.
This is going to be OK, I think. I just need to get myself in gear. Focused...Organized.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Five Days to Blastoff
This post has also been revised (please see explanation on previous post...):-) Thanks for visiting.
*************************************
OK, so if I count today (Saturday) it is 5 days until I don't have my thing that I like to do that I am getting rid of for Lent anymore. I guess it's nice that the Lord is giving me time to get things set...it doesn't always go that way, you know.:-)
So I am going to notify most of my friends that I won't be doing this one thing that much for about FOREVER...I mean a couple of months.
Talked with Mr. Buffalo, and he is going to help me with this one thing that I can't tell (see yesterday's post) for about 5 minutes to make sure that that there is nothing on there that is timely or pressing...
I told him he could forbid me to stop this thing...you know, tell me that I can't give it up or something...(it's Scriptural:-)) but I guess he didn't want to be responsible and bear my iniquity... Oh well.
So that's about the size of it....going to prayerfully make a list of things (mostly decluttering...a Lent FlyLady) to do during my 40 days in the wilderness...If I can just get past the fact that I am not going to do something I really enjoy for 40 days, I think this will be goo...goo...nope can't say it yet.
Going to do my list of Saturday things so that I can try to have a more relaxing and focused Sunday...that's the other goal of today.
*************************************
OK, so if I count today (Saturday) it is 5 days until I don't have my thing that I like to do that I am getting rid of for Lent anymore. I guess it's nice that the Lord is giving me time to get things set...it doesn't always go that way, you know.:-)
So I am going to notify most of my friends that I won't be doing this one thing that much for about FOREVER...I mean a couple of months.
Talked with Mr. Buffalo, and he is going to help me with this one thing that I can't tell (see yesterday's post) for about 5 minutes to make sure that that there is nothing on there that is timely or pressing...
I told him he could forbid me to stop this thing...you know, tell me that I can't give it up or something...(it's Scriptural:-)) but I guess he didn't want to be responsible and bear my iniquity... Oh well.
So that's about the size of it....going to prayerfully make a list of things (mostly decluttering...a Lent FlyLady) to do during my 40 days in the wilderness...If I can just get past the fact that I am not going to do something I really enjoy for 40 days, I think this will be goo...goo...nope can't say it yet.
Going to do my list of Saturday things so that I can try to have a more relaxing and focused Sunday...that's the other goal of today.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Priscilla Schirer Study Lesson 3
If you are a regular reader (hahaha...this site has only been here for like a week) you might notice some revision on this post...it is because Mr. Buffalo was telling Big Boy Buffalo about how the Bible says if you fast but tell people that the telling and sympathy is the reward...So I had to take out my Lent thing from this post...hope it still makes sense. If you read it last week, you already know, so be quiet.
*********************************
OK, this is getting ugly...
I was going to try to re-organize my week so that I could have a Sabbath...
Then I got to thinking...are my motives right for this?
What I need to do is think about doing this with the goal of getting closer to God....with the goal of getting things going in a good pattern here so that I can spend time with Him and my family and do whatever ministry He has for me, unimpeded.
So today, I was doing MY WHOLE lesson for Bible study...the whole thing...a week's worth. And although I am sure I did not get from it what I could have, what I DID get from it is that for the most part I am an entitlist...I don't think that is actually a real word, but what I mean is this...
"I can eat this pie because I had a bad day..." or "it's a special occassion" or whatever.
Now that is not so bad for the most part as long as I really DO keep it to special days...
And that is just one example...on many many fronts, I feel that I am entitled to do or have certain things...I really didn't realize this until this morning, when it hit me like a ton of bricks.
As I was reading (scanning) this morning, I felt that the Lord was telling me that I had a huge time-sucking habit...and here it is.
As long as I get the most basic of things done in the morning, I feel that I can do my own thing in the afternoon...which usually means one particular thing I like to do. And I do it every day, almost...and it takes alot of time if you added it all up.
So today as I was ripping through my Bible study, there was a question about "What do you give more time than the Lord?" or "What takes your thoughts more than the Lord?" or something like that. And I thought, "Well, this will probably be lengthy..." and I put down
1. this one thing that I can't say because Mr. Buffalo says it won't count if I tell everyone. Stink on him.
Anyway, this thing, well that's all I could think of. I thought and thought....trying to come up with something else....
nope
nothing
Not that there isn't anything else, but that is all I was able to think about.
And I panicked...and I thought "Maybe I could just do it in the morning....or just night...just quick once a day"
But the lesson in the Bible study talked about not "cutting corners".
Gag
Gag
Gag
My attitude is not good for this right now. I am supposed to do the next set of Scripture songs much sooner than I thought...one Bible study group is starting the study in April. And getting rid of this one thing is going to change the way we do things for that.
Sigh....
I can't believe this is happening. And I know this sounds so stupid but it is HUGE to me.
I guess that is why it will be a good thing to give up.
I will get alot done...not just because I won't be doing this thing, but because I won't be thinking about finding opportunities to do it.. trying to work it in during little times in the day. Trying to work my day around it. (Does this sound sad to you? Like I have no constructive hobbies??)
Gag.
I have to get my attitude right or it will be for nothing. God is trying to grow me...I can feel it.
Truthfully I don't get alot of these sacrifice/hard choice deals thrown my way...and I have to get to a place where I am not hanging on by my fingernails waiting for it to be over.
This is an opportunity for me to get my priorities back in line...
I thought I was doing OK with this realigning priorities for the Sabbath thing until today....not great but OK...
ugh.
6 more days.
*********************************
OK, this is getting ugly...
I was going to try to re-organize my week so that I could have a Sabbath...
Then I got to thinking...are my motives right for this?
What I need to do is think about doing this with the goal of getting closer to God....with the goal of getting things going in a good pattern here so that I can spend time with Him and my family and do whatever ministry He has for me, unimpeded.
So today, I was doing MY WHOLE lesson for Bible study...the whole thing...a week's worth. And although I am sure I did not get from it what I could have, what I DID get from it is that for the most part I am an entitlist...I don't think that is actually a real word, but what I mean is this...
"I can eat this pie because I had a bad day..." or "it's a special occassion" or whatever.
Now that is not so bad for the most part as long as I really DO keep it to special days...
And that is just one example...on many many fronts, I feel that I am entitled to do or have certain things...I really didn't realize this until this morning, when it hit me like a ton of bricks.
As I was reading (scanning) this morning, I felt that the Lord was telling me that I had a huge time-sucking habit...and here it is.
As long as I get the most basic of things done in the morning, I feel that I can do my own thing in the afternoon...which usually means one particular thing I like to do. And I do it every day, almost...and it takes alot of time if you added it all up.
So today as I was ripping through my Bible study, there was a question about "What do you give more time than the Lord?" or "What takes your thoughts more than the Lord?" or something like that. And I thought, "Well, this will probably be lengthy..." and I put down
1. this one thing that I can't say because Mr. Buffalo says it won't count if I tell everyone. Stink on him.
Anyway, this thing, well that's all I could think of. I thought and thought....trying to come up with something else....
nope
nothing
Not that there isn't anything else, but that is all I was able to think about.
And I panicked...and I thought "Maybe I could just do it in the morning....or just night...just quick once a day"
But the lesson in the Bible study talked about not "cutting corners".
Gag
Gag
Gag
My attitude is not good for this right now. I am supposed to do the next set of Scripture songs much sooner than I thought...one Bible study group is starting the study in April. And getting rid of this one thing is going to change the way we do things for that.
Sigh....
I can't believe this is happening. And I know this sounds so stupid but it is HUGE to me.
I guess that is why it will be a good thing to give up.
I will get alot done...not just because I won't be doing this thing, but because I won't be thinking about finding opportunities to do it.. trying to work it in during little times in the day. Trying to work my day around it. (Does this sound sad to you? Like I have no constructive hobbies??)
Gag.
I have to get my attitude right or it will be for nothing. God is trying to grow me...I can feel it.
Truthfully I don't get alot of these sacrifice/hard choice deals thrown my way...and I have to get to a place where I am not hanging on by my fingernails waiting for it to be over.
This is an opportunity for me to get my priorities back in line...
I thought I was doing OK with this realigning priorities for the Sabbath thing until today....not great but OK...
ugh.
6 more days.
Monday, February 12, 2007
Getting Geared Up
So then, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you may do, do all for the honor and glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
Hmmmmm....OK so as I am thinking about this whole "organize my life", I think that the one piece that has been missing every time is that I have not been doing it with the Lord in mind...
It has just been "I need to get rid of 75% of my stuff just so that I don't keep picking up the same stuff over and over again"...which is true. But why does that matter? So that I can have time to myself? And what would I do with it if I had it? If it wasn't something good I was planning to do...something God honoring, maybe it's better to fill my time with picking up socks and socks and socks...
IF my life were under control, I would be able to have a Sabbath day, which is really my goal here, but there are things that probably need to be curtailed...like web surfing...if I have time in a day, I almost always gravitate to something like that...because "I deserve to have some mindless "me" time..." Which may be true, but are there other things I could be doing with that "me" time that would be just as relaxing and maybe have a better return for my time? I need to think about that, because otherwise when I get this all set, I will just spend more time surfing, etc.
And in order not to do that, I need to get a plan...I work better with a plan.
Just kind of thinking about that.
So, resisting my usual urge to start at the end and work backwards, I am going to start small...My first goal is to have my house in order in such a way that I can completely release regular stuff this Sunday...and enjoy it as a day of rest with my family and focus on the Lord...
Saturday (prep for Sunday)..
I know this still looks like working from the end, but it's not because I am just trying to get it together for this one week, not for the rest of my life...
OK, that's enough for today. I have a plan for Saturday. So that Sunday can be free of regular stuff...Good.
Hmmmmm....OK so as I am thinking about this whole "organize my life", I think that the one piece that has been missing every time is that I have not been doing it with the Lord in mind...
It has just been "I need to get rid of 75% of my stuff just so that I don't keep picking up the same stuff over and over again"...which is true. But why does that matter? So that I can have time to myself? And what would I do with it if I had it? If it wasn't something good I was planning to do...something God honoring, maybe it's better to fill my time with picking up socks and socks and socks...
IF my life were under control, I would be able to have a Sabbath day, which is really my goal here, but there are things that probably need to be curtailed...like web surfing...if I have time in a day, I almost always gravitate to something like that...because "I deserve to have some mindless "me" time..." Which may be true, but are there other things I could be doing with that "me" time that would be just as relaxing and maybe have a better return for my time? I need to think about that, because otherwise when I get this all set, I will just spend more time surfing, etc.
And in order not to do that, I need to get a plan...I work better with a plan.
Just kind of thinking about that.
So, resisting my usual urge to start at the end and work backwards, I am going to start small...My first goal is to have my house in order in such a way that I can completely release regular stuff this Sunday...and enjoy it as a day of rest with my family and focus on the Lord...
Saturday (prep for Sunday)..
- low stress breakfast ready for Sunday (cinnamon rolls in a tube)
- kids have clothes chosen for Monday
- bedroom straightened
- have a meal for Sunday that requires very little prep or clean up.
- lay out clothes for kids including the ones for the program Sunday evening.
- unload dishwasher before bed.
I know this still looks like working from the end, but it's not because I am just trying to get it together for this one week, not for the rest of my life...
OK, that's enough for today. I have a plan for Saturday. So that Sunday can be free of regular stuff...Good.
Friday, February 9, 2007
Perfectionism will not win out...
OK....I started this blog under another display title...then I forgot my password and user name for it and can't seem to recover those things...You know how something like that can just eat up your life? Trying word after word....hours of time and getting nowhere.
So I finally gave up on that. Thought up a new name...Couldn't set up an account because both my emails have blogs on them. So when I put my blog on this "account" it comes up with Buffalo Buffy as my pen name. I came up with that one day when I was just being kind of cutiepie making up a blog about our trip to Yellowstone Park and some things you might want to know if you take a snowmobile trip there...
So my deep thought religious blog about how to get life right and organized so that I can let go and have a Sabbath every week is going to be hosted by Buffalo Buffy. Sheesh...well, I get hung up on perfectionism anyway, so we'll see where this goes...
If you have come to find out about my travels (I am not going to say "journey") into how I came to organize my life with the goal of celebrating the Sabbath every week, it will probably be slow going...but thanks for the visit...it's nice to have company.:-)
BB:-)
So I finally gave up on that. Thought up a new name...Couldn't set up an account because both my emails have blogs on them. So when I put my blog on this "account" it comes up with Buffalo Buffy as my pen name. I came up with that one day when I was just being kind of cutiepie making up a blog about our trip to Yellowstone Park and some things you might want to know if you take a snowmobile trip there...
So my deep thought religious blog about how to get life right and organized so that I can let go and have a Sabbath every week is going to be hosted by Buffalo Buffy. Sheesh...well, I get hung up on perfectionism anyway, so we'll see where this goes...
If you have come to find out about my travels (I am not going to say "journey") into how I came to organize my life with the goal of celebrating the Sabbath every week, it will probably be slow going...but thanks for the visit...it's nice to have company.:-)
BB:-)
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