Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Why Joshua?
For a few months, I've felt like God was telling me to read Joshua. But I couldn't figure out what for. I knew the funk I was in, and the conquest of Canaan didn't seem like it would be the thing to snap me out of it. So I read through the epistles, focusing on all the purposes God has for us. I was blessed.
But I still felt like God was telling me to read Joshua. But I know those stories, and couldn't think of a single passage that would help me get back on track with quiet times. I couldn't even see there being a verse that would jump out at me. So I read through the minor prophets, since I hadn't read through them in awhile. I figured reading something not as familiar would teach me new things, and I'd be cured. I was very blessed.
But I still felt like God was telling me to read Joshua. But why would He tell me that? I didn't get it. And so I flipped through the Bible trying to figure out what to read next, coming up with nothing.
And then I went on this retreat. and had lots of time for reading. 'Fine, God. Fine. I'll read Joshua. I'll still have plenty of time to read some Psalms and some other stuff that will really get me going.'
So I read Joshua. And I found no passages that jumped out at me. Not a single verse grabbed me, and said, 'See? Here I've been this whole time, just waiting for you.' As far as the book of Joshua went, I got nothing.
But that, in and of itself, is where the beauty lies. Where do we get this idea that we have to get something, are entitled to get something, out of obeying God? The real blessing was knowing that I had (finally) obeyed my Lord. It was (and still is) a wonderful feeling; a feeling that a weight had been lifted off my shoulders, and a feeling of joy. And that is why Joshua. That is why God had me read about the portioning of land after the Israelites entered Canaan instead of the easy-to-relate-to Psalms. And I think that's why He started telling me to read it long before He knew I would. Sometimes He works with our disobedience to show us how wonderful it is to obey. God is good. Why would we not want to?
But I still felt like God was telling me to read Joshua. But I know those stories, and couldn't think of a single passage that would help me get back on track with quiet times. I couldn't even see there being a verse that would jump out at me. So I read through the minor prophets, since I hadn't read through them in awhile. I figured reading something not as familiar would teach me new things, and I'd be cured. I was very blessed.
But I still felt like God was telling me to read Joshua. But why would He tell me that? I didn't get it. And so I flipped through the Bible trying to figure out what to read next, coming up with nothing.
And then I went on this retreat. and had lots of time for reading. 'Fine, God. Fine. I'll read Joshua. I'll still have plenty of time to read some Psalms and some other stuff that will really get me going.'
So I read Joshua. And I found no passages that jumped out at me. Not a single verse grabbed me, and said, 'See? Here I've been this whole time, just waiting for you.' As far as the book of Joshua went, I got nothing.
But that, in and of itself, is where the beauty lies. Where do we get this idea that we have to get something, are entitled to get something, out of obeying God? The real blessing was knowing that I had (finally) obeyed my Lord. It was (and still is) a wonderful feeling; a feeling that a weight had been lifted off my shoulders, and a feeling of joy. And that is why Joshua. That is why God had me read about the portioning of land after the Israelites entered Canaan instead of the easy-to-relate-to Psalms. And I think that's why He started telling me to read it long before He knew I would. Sometimes He works with our disobedience to show us how wonderful it is to obey. God is good. Why would we not want to?
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
how my sister annoyed me this week
She sent me this link, which has posts like this:
*Today at work I was in the middle of a big yawn when a customer smiled at me, I tried to smile back. She looked very afraid. MLIA
*My lit teacher has two sets of legos on her desks. Pirates and Ninjas. Every day their positions and hostages change a little because she says they fight at night. She's my favorite. MLIA
*A fortnight ago I finally solved my rubiks cube. I waited two weeks to post this so that I could use the word fortnight. MLIA
*Today, I realized the word bed actually looks like a bed. MLIA
*Today, while on a bus, I heard a man on the phone behind me say "well just tell her you've lost your pants and need some refugees." I have never been more curious as to what someone's situation is. MLIA
I'm now thoroughly addicted. MLIA
*Today at work I was in the middle of a big yawn when a customer smiled at me, I tried to smile back. She looked very afraid. MLIA
*My lit teacher has two sets of legos on her desks. Pirates and Ninjas. Every day their positions and hostages change a little because she says they fight at night. She's my favorite. MLIA
*A fortnight ago I finally solved my rubiks cube. I waited two weeks to post this so that I could use the word fortnight. MLIA
*Today, I realized the word bed actually looks like a bed. MLIA
*Today, while on a bus, I heard a man on the phone behind me say "well just tell her you've lost your pants and need some refugees." I have never been more curious as to what someone's situation is. MLIA
I'm now thoroughly addicted. MLIA
Friday, September 11, 2009
part 3 of that post
I just looked at the date. All of what I just wrote looks exceptionally shallow and selfish in light of the fact that it's September 11th. So I'd just like to take a minute to remember those who were lost that day 8 years ago, to pray for the families of the victims, and to thank first responders everywhere for all that they do for us. God bless.
part 2 of that post
I finally called the Dome and asked them what time they close off that street, because I didn't want to make another trip, when I was heading that way in a bit. The woman was understanding, and told me they would be closing it off between 3:00 and 3:30. I was leaving shortly before 2:00, so yay, I didn't have to make another trip.
So I got there about 2:00, and they had already closed it off. So now I will be going sometime Monday. And hopefully I'll get those tickets.
So I got there about 2:00, and they had already closed it off. So now I will be going sometime Monday. And hopefully I'll get those tickets.
just shoot me
When I left to go out of town, I was going to buy Twins tickets for me and my dad for next Friday. I was running late, however, so I decided to get them on my way home today.
On the way home, I ran into road construction, which made me miss my exit, which meant that I was then nowhere near 35W, which meant that I had to figure out where I was and how to get to downtown from there. I figured it out, though by now I was going way out of my way, but it was fine, I knew I would get there eventually.
Yeah, no. Apparently, the Polaks are having some polka fest today, which meant that there was a major traffic jam, so I had to go way around that, too, and take another different route.
Finally, I got to the Dome. I got up to the window, handed the lady my coupons, at which point she handed them back and said, 'The Applebee's coupons are only good Sunday through Thursday.' I had a different coupon at home, but of course, that's not the one I brought.
So now I have to go back. But of course, they close Kirby Puckett Place, where the free parking is, early on Fridays, because they have stuff going on before games. So I have to go back soon, and can't wait til I go out again. So annoying.
On the way home, I ran into road construction, which made me miss my exit, which meant that I was then nowhere near 35W, which meant that I had to figure out where I was and how to get to downtown from there. I figured it out, though by now I was going way out of my way, but it was fine, I knew I would get there eventually.
Yeah, no. Apparently, the Polaks are having some polka fest today, which meant that there was a major traffic jam, so I had to go way around that, too, and take another different route.
Finally, I got to the Dome. I got up to the window, handed the lady my coupons, at which point she handed them back and said, 'The Applebee's coupons are only good Sunday through Thursday.' I had a different coupon at home, but of course, that's not the one I brought.
So now I have to go back. But of course, they close Kirby Puckett Place, where the free parking is, early on Fridays, because they have stuff going on before games. So I have to go back soon, and can't wait til I go out again. So annoying.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
My Top 10 Fiction Book List (I think)
If AFI can have their top 100 movies, and top 100 passions, top 100 movie lines, top 100 suspense movies, etc., I can have more specific book lists in addition to my top 10. So here, without further ado, are, I think, my top 10 favorite fiction books.
*The Street Lawyer, John Grisham
*The Street Lawyer, John Grisham*The Testament, John Grisham
*The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Victor Hugo
*Les Miserabes, Victor Hugo
*Les Miserabes, Victor Hugo
*The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, C.S. Lewis
*Gone With the Wind, Margaret Mitchell
*The Princess Bride, S. Morgenstern (The Good Parts Version, by William Goldman)
*The Ezekiel Option, Joel C. Rosenberg
*Vienna Prelude, Bodie Thoene
*The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien
Saturday, September 5, 2009
A thought
"Should we not all be flexible before we know God's will? Should we not all be immovable after we understand what he wants done?" - Calvin Miller
Thursday, September 3, 2009
well, i survived my trying week+ at work
it was close at times. there were moments when i thought either i might die, or someone else would as i bit her head off. there were moments when i felt like sitting down and crying. there were moments when i just started laughing because i didn't know what else to do. there were times when i felt like just stopping, just being done. but i made it.
thankfully i convinced the cook to find a babysitter for that one friday and come in to help me. my boss also did all she could to rearrange her meetings to be there for almost all of it. and then one of the nurses helped us serve breakfast. so we managed.
saturday actually ended up being the hardest. we were still short-staffed, we were all tired, and we all knew we had one more day to go. also complicating matters was the return of the r.o.u.s., though this time he decided to be not in the ceiling, but on the floor, coming out every so often to scare the crap out of us.
but we managed, and we managed the days after that (cuz while we were full-staffed monday, we were short again later in the week). my boss even sent me a note of appreciation for all that i had done.
what meant even more, though, was when the cook acknowledged that it had all fallen on me. my boss knew i had done a lot, but she doesn't actually work in the kitchen, so she doesn't know what needs to be done. the cook on the other hand, sees what goes on every day, and saw that as everyone i worked short with was new, i was the one who had to make sure everything got done. the brain energy involved tired me out about as much as the actual work. it meant a lot to me that he noticed and commended me for it.
thankfully i convinced the cook to find a babysitter for that one friday and come in to help me. my boss also did all she could to rearrange her meetings to be there for almost all of it. and then one of the nurses helped us serve breakfast. so we managed.
saturday actually ended up being the hardest. we were still short-staffed, we were all tired, and we all knew we had one more day to go. also complicating matters was the return of the r.o.u.s., though this time he decided to be not in the ceiling, but on the floor, coming out every so often to scare the crap out of us.
but we managed, and we managed the days after that (cuz while we were full-staffed monday, we were short again later in the week). my boss even sent me a note of appreciation for all that i had done.
what meant even more, though, was when the cook acknowledged that it had all fallen on me. my boss knew i had done a lot, but she doesn't actually work in the kitchen, so she doesn't know what needs to be done. the cook on the other hand, sees what goes on every day, and saw that as everyone i worked short with was new, i was the one who had to make sure everything got done. the brain energy involved tired me out about as much as the actual work. it meant a lot to me that he noticed and commended me for it.
and now, thankfully, it's all over. Hallelujah.
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