This coming Sunday is our annual Baby Dedication Day, so I won’t really be preaching a particular text this week. I think I already know what I want to say, and maybe you’ll see some of that this week.
What’s the x in the title? It stands for an unknown number. I don’t know how many times I have posted a blog with "Random Thoughts." I lost count. I suppose it doesn’t really matter.
I don’t know what will happen on the old blog this week. I may post a lot or just a little. You should feel free, as always, to post what’s on your mind.
What would you tell parents who are holding little babies?
Sunday, November 25, 2007
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Today is my birthday, and while I would rather people not know that, Wayne has “outed” me with his note from Poland. I don’t feel much different. It sure stinks to have to work on your birthday, especially when you only work one day a week (and only about 3-4 hours on that one day).
One thing I am trying to figure about my sabbatical is what to do with this blog. It would be against the point and principal of the sabbatical to keep it going like it is.
Part of my proposal to Lilly was that I would communicate my travel experiences via a blog, but what do I do with the 6 weeks of non-travel time?
Do I keep this URL and change the name from “Listening to God” to something that reflects more what is going on? I have toyed with the title “Renewal Notices.” Clever, eh? You get it right?
Do I post when I feel like it, sharing with you some of my thoughts as I journey deeper into unexplored recesses of my mind and heart? What if there is nothing there (but rocks)?
It pays to be nice.
How about a groan or two?
He had a photographic memory which was never developed.
If you don’t pay your exorcist you can get repossessed.
The guy who fell onto an upholstery machine was fully recovered.
Nice weather we are having isnt it?
Makes you kind of want to go run 26.2 miles in the woods doesnt it Allen?
RR
I'm glad it's raining on Monday because I work today and if I were home I would have to stay inside. We need the rain desperately coming out of the hottest August, September and October I can remember--not to mention the lack of rain all summer. Let it rain, let it pour. At least it is not snow and ice. (That will come later and bring needed nitrogen to our soil.) Thank you Lord. I will admit it is a little gloomy and chilly but a good run would bring you right out of it Ryan and Allen. I thought yesterday's service was especially good (maybe because I missed last week due to bronchitis which I am still battling). Being with other Christians keeps me grounded and gets me out of myself. We had a nice Thanksgiving on Saturday with our family. Little Aaron is walking and very mobile and a joy to spend time with. Maddy and Marty playing with him and all of us together was a fun day. I spent Thanksgiving with Bill's help decorating the garden shed for Christmas. I made a dried flower wreath to hang from the ceiling with lights from artemesia, tansy, sage, lambs ear and autumn joy sedum and decorated three small trees in the mirrored corner with items from Mother and other sources. We hung clear lights from the rafters below and above and hung bird houses and wind chimes from the ceiling. A really fun day for me. Less for Bill. Have a great week. Sherron
Good, encouraging thoughts, Sherron, as usual. Why don’t you join Ryan and me in a run?
Tony and I once ran a marathon in these conditions; actually it was raining harder than this. We finished pretty well, but once was enough. Although if it rains Saturday, then I’ll just get wet because I’ve been working toward this day for months.
I just met with a dear lady here at the office who lost her husband last summer to heart disease. He was a long time survivor of a heart transplant and did really well for a long time. She called to say her home burned to the ground last Wednesday evening and she lost everything. She mentioned her husband's bible which had their daughter's birth certificate inside. My heart aches for her. Please pray for Mary Jo Phillips during this devastaing time. Luckily a year or so ago we updated her insurance on the home so she is well covered for her material loss but the emotional one will go on forever. Kind of takes the sunshine out of a rainy day but she was not at home and noone was injured. Her first Thanksgiving without Boyd. Very sad. Sherron
Wow, Sherron, that is sad. Let's all pray for her.
What a nice rainy day! I actually enjoy days like today. Weird, I know.
I did not go for a run today. I really wanted to, but decided that dry rest is probably more needful than a wet run. I hope to get one more decent run into before the marathon on Saturday; maybe a 10 miler first thing in the morning.
I am not very nervous about Saturday’s marathon. I am looking forward to it. We survived it fine last year, and I have double the training miles going in this year. I have surpassed the 1200 mile mark for the year, which means I will end up with more miles this year than I had hoped for. I had planned for 1200 but it looks I can get more than 1300 now.
The only concern about Saturday at this point is the weather. Right now it sounds really good: start in the mid 20s and finish in the mid 30s. Rain is my biggest concern, but even then...
Tony and I have both signed up for the Mountain Mist 50K again. It takes place January 26, 2008. The tricky part for me is keeping my training miles going while I am in summer heat “down under.” Make no mistake: I am not complaining!
Something happened on Thanksgiving Day that has never happened to me before. I took 5 naps. No kidding. I slept really well on Wednesday evening, after having a nice birthday dinner at Longhorn Steak House. I had one of the nicest rib eye steaks I have had in a long time. Beef: it’s what’s for dinner, and nothing satisfies like beef. I actually slept on that steak for 8 hours, which is a little longer than I usually sleep (7 hours is normal for me).
After I had been up for a little while, I felt sleepy, so I closed my eyes. Snores followed. Woke up. Repeated the opening sentences of this paragraph. Again. (That’s 3). Again. (That’s 4). Then after our Thanksgiving meal, I was really enjoying the football game with the Lions. The next thing I know, however, I hear snores. It’s me. I wake up after a while and look around the room. All three of my sons were conked out too.
Ben asked me how I could sleep so much. Here’s what I told him: I am a very high performance machine that runs on the high limit all the time, so when I bring this thing down, it comes down hard and needs lots of rest. He rolled his eyes. I am guessing you just did the same. Oh well...
I received some nice birthday gifts. Perhaps the most interesting is a wireless meat thermometer. [Why did all my students laugh at that when I told them today?] I can monitor the temperature of the meat I am smoking from a distance of up to 150 feet. That’s what the box says.
The little receiver that I can wear on my belt will talk to me when the meat is with in 10 degrees of the targeted temp, and then it tells me it’s done. Pretty cool. I am trying to figure out when I can use it...
Bigg Daddy turned me on to these things and thus it went on the wish list. BD is my smoking meat hero.
Allen, you may have more intimate knowledge of Austrailian politics than I, so what do you make of Howard getting defeated for Prime Minister this week?
Mike Mathews
Mike, I have been following this situation from a distance (pun, I guess) for a while, but I haven’t paid too much attention to the details. I do remember when John Howard was elected that I was surprised. If I remember correctly, he has very little charisma. [I remember the New Zealand political situation a little better, but those memories are faded as well.]
It seems that there are a lot of opinions about what happened. The economy is good and strong, so what went wrong? The war? Some say it was a Kyoto hold-out position, which Australia is now going to sign. Others say it is a generational uprising–younger ones tired of the same old tired arguments and ways.
What does it mean for us, the U.S.? What do you think?
It seems to me that people here are pretty tired of all the same old stuff. I know I am. I can’t seem get very interested, and am certainly not excited about, this next presidential election. The rancor and unwillingness to cooperate is disgusting to me. We need a Reagan-type character who inspires people on both sides of the aisle.
But no, I am not going to run. Sorry. (I am too funny.)
Did anyone participate in Cyber Monday? This is the internet's equivalent to Black Friday.
I think the thinking is that everyone shopped in the stores over the Thanksgiving weekend, and then when they return to "work" on Monday they make internet purchases.
I placed an order online. I can't tell you what, because I don't want to give any secrets away...
Looking ahead to next week...
I am doing a little study regarding Sabbath, seeking to better understanding what my sabbatical should be about. I find the whole concept pretty interesting.
Here is the passage that I will deal with on the 9th of December:
Exodus 31:12-17
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the LORD, who makes you holy. “‘Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it must be put to death; whoever does any work on that day must be cut off from his people. For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must be put to death. The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant. It will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he abstained from work and rested.’”
Are we to keep the Sabbath in any way today?
If so, how?
I think in creation that if God rested a day (whatever a day is in God's time line) then he is showing us a need for rest. The human body cannot run forever without a break in our busy lives. Without rest our bodies become overtaxed and our minds do also. I know when I overdo my short fuse presents itself and it is so hard to rest when you are overtired. It becomes a vicious circle. Losing a portion of my heart to the heart attack has taught me that 'time outs' are very necessary to my physical and mental well-being and when I don't obey what my body is telling me then I pay in many ways and it has a ripple effect on those who are around me. I'm one who has a hard time sitting still. Even when my body stops the mind never does. Anxiety attacks, lack of sleep, depression all result from lack of rest or too much rest. There has to be a happy medium. I hope I find it someday. Love you all and great news about Regeneration and all the good works going on at Mitchell COC. I hope many sweet little children are blessed with coats on Saturday. Rose and all who help do a wonderful job with this. I was one of those children growing up who needed coats and was blessed by kind donators who kept me warm in the winter. I really know what it means. God bless you Rose. Love, Sherron
OK, no need to push the panic button or to go crazy, but I think we all need to know about this new movie that comes out in a few days. I’m talking about the The Golden Compass. I’ve already talked a little about it, but here is more information for you.
I think this first movie, as it stands alone, is fairly harmless, but like anything we watch, listen, read, we need to be aware of what stands behind it. The movie is based on a trilogy of books written by an atheist, Philip Pullman. Here’s a good quote to give you some insight:
Philip Pullman's trilogy, His Dark Materials , has some striking parallels to C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia . Between protective beasts, snowy landscapes, and references to a prophecy only the girl may be able to fulfill, the ads for The Golden Compass —the first installment of Pullman's series coming to the big screen on December 7—look made to attract fans of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. New Line Cinema has also gone out of its way to link the new film to J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings , which the studio also adapted.
But His Dark Materials presents a strikingly different kind of tale from the ones told by Lewis and Tolkien; on a certain level, it even opposes them. Pullman, writing in The Guardian on the occasion of Lewis's centenary in 1998, said the Narnia books are "one of the most ugly and poisonous things I have ever read," with "no shortage of … nauseating drivel." Peter Hitchens, writing in The Spectator in 2003, named Pullman "the Anti-Lewis."
While Lewis and Tolkien wrote stories imbued with Christian imagery, Pullman's trilogy—which has sold millions of copies and won numerous literary awards, including the Carnegie Medal and the Whitbread Prize—depicts the death of God and the creation of a "Republic of Heaven" that has no need for a King. And while Lewis and Tolkien kept the Christian elements fairly subtle—even the Narnia books have no explicit references to Jesus—a key scene in Pullman's trilogy shows a former nun telling two children that she left the Christian faith because it's "a very powerful and convincing mistake, that's all."
To read the rest of this article click HERE
And Here’s another related piece. It’s more about why we should be concerned about this movie from the standpoint of influencing children.
Allen
actually saw the previews for this movie last saturday. very odd. strange dark colors and presentation. not knowing anything at all about the movie prior to seeing the preview, i thought it was rather "dark". bret immediately said that she thought they were "copying" lewis.
rr
Allen,
I have an idea.
A contest of skill and culinary fortitude.
Maybe we'll get an Asian guy to start the whole thing with a Karate chop and yell "For this week's secret ingredient.....TURKEY!!"
The Holy Smoker vs. Big Papa.
I'll supply the turkeys.
I've still got one in the freezer from last year and I'm going to pick up this years tonight.
They're both around 20lbs. in case you need to do some studying.
I'll supply you guys each with the turkey and we'll have a smoke off.
You guys name the place and time.
I'll bring my fork and knife!
We might need some celebrity judges too. Oh, I don't know, how about a basketball player, a high ranking official over a certain bomb making facility nearby and a judge to be named later...
Are you ready to rumble!!!!
Brent
Brent, have you gone crazy? You know, the Bible has a lot to say about a brother who causes division, etc. I would NEVER EVER think of BD as any kind of competitor; he is my hero, my mentor. I am not worthy to stand next to him as he stands next to a smoker. He is batman; I am Robin.
Now, I would be more than happy to try smoke a turkey for you; 20 pounds is pretty big.
See, I would have ask BD if that is doable.
Man, I turn my back on this blog for more than a day or two, and things get seriously weird.
Re: the upcoming presidential elections, I, too, am unimpressed with the current crop of hopefuls. I think Hillary's the smartest, but she'll drag us down the same path that has foundered most of Europe the last 20 yrs. or so. Obama has no experience except with Illinois pothole politics. Giuliani is a jerk who ditched his wife for his girlfriend ON TELEVISION. This, alone, takes him off my list. Romney looks like he was carved out of cream cheese. THompson just scares me. I'm not sure why.I don't think another Reagen is what's needed, tho. He broke the USSR, but I don't think he was any great shakes with the economy. Supply-side economics just sorta smells bad.
I'd love to be president. Couldn't mess things up much worse than what they are. In fact, I think I could really straighten the world out, if I were given about four years and unlimited power.:)
Donna
I'd vote for you Donna.
Todd as "first gentleman" is a wonderful thought.
sort of like donna here.
not sure what started the blog down this odd path.
several questions do come to mind though today.
brent, i am a little confused as to why you are going to get a turkey when you still have a turkey in your freezer. did you think it was lonely? are you starting a turkey collection?
allen, although tempted, i will keep your earlier email to myself. :) pretty sure though at 20 miles i want to seperate myself from you and tony.
donna, i love your political insights. i am shocked and saddened to know that you are not a supporter of the "trickle down theory". by chance did you read the news accounts of gore and bush meeting last week at the whitehouse for a special event on the noble prize. kind of funny. gore is such a sterile and stiff personality. where do these people come from?
rr
Ryan, We get a turkey every year from work and Tracy and I never have time to cook a whole turkey or eat one for that matter. It's one of those things that you never think of until you go get the next one.
At Christmas we get a ham. I usually take it straight to the deli and have it sliced up. We go through it pretty quick.
Truthfully, after about 8-10 years of eating turkey after the first heart attack, I've really lost the desire to eat it unless it's fixed just right. I'm about over turkey burger completely.
Like Allen, it's hard to beat good old beef. I'm not so convinced any more that beef is nearly as bad for me as a lot of the other stuff I've eaten over the years. There's so much stuff being added anymore that I think we're creating health problems as quick as we're curing them.
I tend to agree about the political situation right now. It puts a lot of meaning to the phrase "Pick your Poison". When it gets right down to it, I hate politics, but I guess it's a neccessariy evil. Beats a dictatorship, I guess. I still like McCain, but I think he's going to be just about too old and stubborn to make a difference. I voted for him back in the primaries in '00.
Every one of the current candidates could be real good people, but you'll never know it the way they go at each other and the way the people love dirt. You can blame the press, but if nobody read it, they wouldn't print it.
Some of the early presidents would have never made it in today's environment.
I think they forgot why they're in the position. To Protect and Serve. I know that's the policemens creed, but it ought to be the presidents too.
I think there's going to be some major changes over the next 10-20 years in the cross section of our government and the laws that we'll have if we remain passive and don't stand up with our votes.
I heard a guy defending Bill Clinton at work the other day. He said that he despises George Bush and when someone made a crack about Clinton he said: I voted for a politician not a priest. Pretty telling of today's society, I think.
If we quit caring about a man's morals that we plan to lead us, pay attention to the Isrealites.
Not that we're "God's chosen Country", contrary to what some folks think. I don't know if we are or not, I don't think he plays favorites anymore.
Everytime the Isrealites had a poor leader, things went south in a hurry and they in turn ususally ended up in captivity.
Wow, the soap box is getting crowded today!
Good discussion.
Where's Big Pappa, I want to hear his take on Iron "Smoker" MCOC.
Brent
Allen, Doesn't Brent know that if you believe in me, "in the kitchen, that is" and have faith the size of a mustard seed," personally I like to use McCormick's brand, but in a pinch the Kroger brand aint bad, get it on the spice aisle there at Jay C" we could conquer 20 lb turkeys, doesn't he know good things come to those who wait, "and keep the temperature just right in the smoker" I say bring me 20 lb. turkey's and plenty of hickory, spend time with me my brothers and we will feed many people, "might even make the disiples a little jealous about the fish and loaves dinner/miricle," but I'm not talk'n fast food here. Thus sayeth BIGG DADDY!
Hey, did anybody besides me ever watch the original "Iron Chef"? I really liked that show. (Of course, I also like Lawrence Welk and "Big Joe's Polka Show", too...) I wonder why they felt compelled to Americanize it. It was so funny to watch the chefs make these bizarre dishes out of even more bizarre ingredients. I learned a lot from that show. (e.g., virtually every dish can be improved by the addition of fish heads.)
Donna
Re: Bigg Daddy’s post
No man hath spake as thiseth man spaketh.
Thou smoketh well.
Donna, I have watched Big Joe’s Polka Show a few times. I think it is a great show from which to gain good fashion tips and hair styles.
I am going to extend my dreams a little further: you as president, Todd as first gentlemen, AND the first couple as the feature performers on the Big Joe Polka Show. You could wear a bee hive hair do, and Todd could wear a vest made of shiny material with a few sequins.
Whatcha think?
I am always interested in the weather, but I get really focused before I run a marathon. I’ve been telling Ryan and Tony (fellow fools for Saturday) that I thought the weather would be fine Saturday. I am now beginning to think that we could face some strong wind and ice pellets for the last hour or so on Saturday. Should make it more interesting.
Speaking of running, I spoke to my travel agent, Debbie, for a long time today, trying to finalize my Greece/Turkey plans. [By the way, I would have used Jamie E. from our church family, if she had been in business back when I did my proposal. Debbie spent days getting stuff together for me, not even knowing if I would be successful. I felt like I should thank her by giving her my business. I talked with Jamie about this. I know Jamie does great work, and I will use her in the future.] Anyway, I am trying to arrange to have enough time in Greece to have a day to run the original marathon course, made famous by Pheidippides. I just hope my finish is not like his.
In my Wednesday night class we started a discussion about Sabbath. It was interesting. God was pretty adamant about Sabbath keeping in the Old Testament. It was to be a day of rest, reflection, and worship.
Does this carry over into the New Testament? If so, how?
Is Sunday the Christian Sabbath?
Is Sunday any different than the other six days of the week?
Do we treat it any differently?
We talked about “blue laws” that used to be the norm in our culture. This morning I came across an article that discusses this very thing. Interesting.
More states debate to end blue laws
So what do you think about all this?
Times have changed.
New Zealand hospital scraps short-stay voucher after public outcry
When Lester was born he and Kedra stayed in the hospital for a week. That was the norm. Now, according to the article, it is 48 hours in NZ. This article is about trying to get moms and babies out of the hospital within 6 hours by offering grocery vouchers.
New Zealand has socialized medicine. I’m sure they simply can’t afford long hospital stays. Having lived twice under socialized medicine, in Australian and New Zealand, I can tell you from experience we don’t want it here.
Having said that, something needs to change with our medical care system. We pay around $1000 per month and still have a $5,000 deductible. And we are probably have a better situation than a lot of folks. Many don’t have insurance at all.
I’m really good at identifying problems. Solutions are a little more difficult. Ha ha.
A chicken crossing the road: poultry in motion.
A boiled egg is hard to beat.
When she saw her first strands of gray hair, she thought she’d dye.
The short fortune teller who escaped from prison was a small medium at large.
OK, OK, I’ll stop!
Allen
please dont tell these jokes tomorrow!!
so are you just running the course in greece or actually running a marathon there?
RR
Allen, who's your insurance with? We've also got a $5000 deductible, but don't pay near what you're paying. Of course, your family's larger.
And, speaking of the Inaugural Gala following my landslide presidential win, not only could the whole thing be on Big Joe, Famous Dave's BBQ could cater the whole thing! If Jackie Kennedy were still alive, she'd be green with envy at the sheer elegance! ANd, my hive would be something to behold!
Donna
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