Monday, April 25, 2005

Rainy days and Mondays always get me ................

If you are willing to date yourself as a Carpenters or Paul Williams fan, you'll know how that line ends.
The only thing shaking my joy today is me - I say one thing, but my thoughts and actions reveal that I am still living under the delusion that "it is all about me."
A family friend was standing at the shoreline in Myrtle Beach yesterday when a large wave knocked her over, resulting in a broken hip. She was airlifted back to Toronto for surgery. We never know what a moment will bring.
I myself would like to be knocked over by a large wave of the Holy Spirit that would leave me broken and humble. I say that - but do I really understand what I am asking for?
I am looking forward to the bible college graduation this Saturday - another opportunity for living vicariously :o) I'm so thankful for the passion of some of God's choice possessions that I have met through the college. I look forward to sharing in their excellent adventures as they follow the call of God around the globe.

Saturday, April 09, 2005

To anyone who might learn from my mistakes - past, present and future (sadly)

1. Try to curb any obsessive compulsive tendencies by limiting your reading to 2 books (plus the bible) at any one time - unless you are engaged in academic pursuits.

2. Do not read fictional romance - even if it is masquerading as "Christian fiction." Ditto for "chick flicks" - they paint an unrealistic picture of relationships. One might perhaps make an exception for Princess Bride, just because it is my favourite (although the book was much better.)

3. Remind yourself at least daily that no one except God can meet all your needs. This will be much easier to believe if you've complied with item 2.

4. When tempted to spread yourself too thin, remember that any sequence of priorities that does not list God first, spouse second, everything else following is bound to get you in trouble. God doesn't necessarily mean church.

5. Clothes do not make the person - even if they were an incredible buy at the local thrift store. In fact, even if they were in a grab bag from a dear friend or sister. The fewer items you can be content with, the more time you'll have to spend on meaningful pursuits. Clothes don't maintain themselves, besides which you can reach a point where having too many clothes results in decision paralysis. I guess it's been part of my "the world must revolve around me therefore everyone will notice what I wear to work tomorrow" idiocy.

6. You don't have to tell every detail of the story. You don't have to argue with your spouse as to whether the cat got sick on a Wednesday or Thursday back in 1984. In fact, I learned recently at a workshop on presentation that you should know 100% and teach/share only 20%.
You might also give the man in the pulpit the benefit of the doubt - my husband used to constantly tell me I expected every preacher to share every facet of every doctrine whenever they preached.

7. Some people can live with clutter but hate dirt (as in rings in the toilet bowl, hair in the sink etc.) Others could live in manure but detest any type of clutter - including today's mail on the counter. Of course some people hate both. Find out which type your spouse is, and seek to adapt yourself to their preference.

There are lots of other things I could mention, some have reared their ugly heads even today, but I'll end with

8. Pray constantly that you will not be moved away from a rock solid belief in the sovereignty of God. Period.


Tod, if you read this - I notice Holy War is back on the shelf at church - did you finish it? Are you ready to tutor?