Been trying to knock down the mile-long to-do list the last few days. Much of it is in progress, some completed, lots more to get done.
Husband submitted his application to start his bachelor's completion program in Bible and Theology today--hopes to start August 30. SO PROUD OF HIM! It's not the traditional online degree program that most officers in our territory are getting, so it'll take him 3 years--but it's what he wants to learn, not just to get a degree (and it builds on his masters that he has his eyes on). Once he's done with his BA comes time for my MA...not excited about the prospect of having to take the GRE because of the clash in my BA major/minor (Learning and Pedagogy, emphasis in bilingual and multicultural education and minor in music) and my ambitions for MA (Non-Profit Business Management). Suppose this is my three year notice to start studying. Have you seen the book? It's like 3x the size of the one for the SAT! Good thing I do well on standardized testing!
Had dinner with our planned giving director tonight--love him and his wife so much. Talk about people that have a heart for our mission and love helping officers in any way they can. Such a blessing!
Dentist tomorrow. YIKES!
Ministerial Association meeting tomorrow. YAY!
Teaching Wilderness Survival with hubby at camp next week. YIKES!
Got tickets for the Third Day concert next month. YAY!
Blog of zero substance--accomplished. With that, sweet dreams!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Sunday, June 13, 2010
The Privilege of a Commission
"The privilege of a commission..."-My favorite phrase by ever by our retiring territorial commander.
A commission as a Salvation Army officer is priceless. There is no way to even fathom putting into words how absolutely incredible it is to be doing exactly what God has intended for you to do.
Yes, there's ups and downs.
Yes, there's bad days.
Yes, there's heartbreaks.
But...
There's blessing beyond belief.
You are part of something so much bigger than yourself that has the ability to impact individuals, families, communities, countries, and the whole world.
No day is the same as the last--life sure is interesting!
When my husband and a visitor to our worship this morning were discussing my sermon (Commandment #1 lived out through Deuteronomy 6:4-5--we're starting a sermon series on the 10 Commandments, spending some time in the Old Testament), and a hymn we sang, "Holy, Holy, Holy," they made the connection to Isaiah's commission. (Ding! Ding! Payoff for intentional worship planning!)
Isaiah chapter 6 says, "In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory." At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty." Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for." Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" (vv. 1-8)
As we watched the webcast of the service of appointments of the newest commissioned and ordained lieutenants this afternoon, I was again reminded of this very important conversation.
When God asks, "Whom shall I send?"
My response is, "Here am I,send me!"
May I never have a time when that response does not freely flow from my lips!
A commission as a Salvation Army officer is priceless. There is no way to even fathom putting into words how absolutely incredible it is to be doing exactly what God has intended for you to do.
Yes, there's ups and downs.
Yes, there's bad days.
Yes, there's heartbreaks.
But...
There's blessing beyond belief.
You are part of something so much bigger than yourself that has the ability to impact individuals, families, communities, countries, and the whole world.
No day is the same as the last--life sure is interesting!
When my husband and a visitor to our worship this morning were discussing my sermon (Commandment #1 lived out through Deuteronomy 6:4-5--we're starting a sermon series on the 10 Commandments, spending some time in the Old Testament), and a hymn we sang, "Holy, Holy, Holy," they made the connection to Isaiah's commission. (Ding! Ding! Payoff for intentional worship planning!)
Isaiah chapter 6 says, "In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory." At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty." Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for." Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" (vv. 1-8)
As we watched the webcast of the service of appointments of the newest commissioned and ordained lieutenants this afternoon, I was again reminded of this very important conversation.
When God asks, "Whom shall I send?"
My response is, "Here am I,send me!"
May I never have a time when that response does not freely flow from my lips!
Friday, June 11, 2010
Anger
Anger is an interesting thing.
I had a perfectly valid reason to be angry with someone today, and yet bit my tongue to avoid a further argument.
So, I let it fester, then I was mad at myself for no good reason that I could identify, and managed to give myself a migraine over it.
Then after sleeping off the migraine, I apologized to the person that I was angry at because I was angry at them--not that what they did didn't tick me off, because it did, but because I was mad at them.
Then I felt better.
What the heck?
Just once, in my humanness, I want to be angry at someone in order for it to actually make a difference in their behavior that made me upset instead of me being the one to feel guilt!
(In this particular situation, discussing the behavior that needs to modified after anger dissipates is fruitless)
In my being "so beside myself" over this today, of course, I was directed to the right passage to put me into check with how I should be behaving. Ephesians 4 says, "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." (vv. 2-3) "In your anger do not sin" Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (vv. 26-32)
And 2 Timothy 2:22-26: "Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will."
Yep, turn to scripture study to try to be vindicated in my feelings, and get taught a lesson instead.
So much to learn in life...no one ever said the road to holiness was a smooth one. Some days it's an easy stroll, and others it's one step forward and two steps back.
I had a perfectly valid reason to be angry with someone today, and yet bit my tongue to avoid a further argument.
So, I let it fester, then I was mad at myself for no good reason that I could identify, and managed to give myself a migraine over it.
Then after sleeping off the migraine, I apologized to the person that I was angry at because I was angry at them--not that what they did didn't tick me off, because it did, but because I was mad at them.
Then I felt better.
What the heck?
Just once, in my humanness, I want to be angry at someone in order for it to actually make a difference in their behavior that made me upset instead of me being the one to feel guilt!
(In this particular situation, discussing the behavior that needs to modified after anger dissipates is fruitless)
In my being "so beside myself" over this today, of course, I was directed to the right passage to put me into check with how I should be behaving. Ephesians 4 says, "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." (vv. 2-3) "In your anger do not sin" Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (vv. 26-32)
And 2 Timothy 2:22-26: "Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will."
Yep, turn to scripture study to try to be vindicated in my feelings, and get taught a lesson instead.
So much to learn in life...no one ever said the road to holiness was a smooth one. Some days it's an easy stroll, and others it's one step forward and two steps back.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
If you can't say anything nice...
...don't say anything at all.
In a poopy mood. Completely exhausted. So much has gone on this week. Just tired and cranky. Feels like everything I've done this week has taken more effort than it has needed and I'm so far behind. Not at all happy with myself.
Anyone looking for a job? Administrative assistant with social work experience needed--salary: my undying love and gratitude.
Time to attempt to cook dinner...then sleep. Laundry can wait.
In a poopy mood. Completely exhausted. So much has gone on this week. Just tired and cranky. Feels like everything I've done this week has taken more effort than it has needed and I'm so far behind. Not at all happy with myself.
Anyone looking for a job? Administrative assistant with social work experience needed--salary: my undying love and gratitude.
Time to attempt to cook dinner...then sleep. Laundry can wait.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Silence
Not much to report today--typical Monday. Planning on "fasting" from the internet tomorrow (other than corps related usage). See ya in a few days.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
What's My Place?
I don't like change.
Quite some time ago, I was convicted deeply that I need to spend more time in keeping up my home--you know, laundry, dishes, cooking, cleaning, etc. My husband and I have been pretty good at splitting those duties 50/50 so far. I'm not one that subscribes completely to the little wife at home mantra, but I do feel that I do have a prominent role in house making and that my husband is the the head of the household.
I had a bit of a domesticated mood today...when we got home from church, I sat down and planned out our meals for the week, made a grocery list, cleaned out the fridge (a few science experiments), went grocery shopping, cooked lunches for us to take to the corps for the week, and did the dishes.
It's been awhile...no one told me household duties were so exhausting. Give me paperwork and sermon prep any day.
But, the bottom line is that if this is what God intends for me, then He's going to pave the path to get me where He wants me to be as long as I'm paying attention.
It's going to be a wild ride...
Proverbs 12:4 says, "A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones."
Yikes...that's a lot to live up to.
Quite some time ago, I was convicted deeply that I need to spend more time in keeping up my home--you know, laundry, dishes, cooking, cleaning, etc. My husband and I have been pretty good at splitting those duties 50/50 so far. I'm not one that subscribes completely to the little wife at home mantra, but I do feel that I do have a prominent role in house making and that my husband is the the head of the household.
I had a bit of a domesticated mood today...when we got home from church, I sat down and planned out our meals for the week, made a grocery list, cleaned out the fridge (a few science experiments), went grocery shopping, cooked lunches for us to take to the corps for the week, and did the dishes.
It's been awhile...no one told me household duties were so exhausting. Give me paperwork and sermon prep any day.
But, the bottom line is that if this is what God intends for me, then He's going to pave the path to get me where He wants me to be as long as I'm paying attention.
It's going to be a wild ride...
Proverbs 12:4 says, "A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones."
Yikes...that's a lot to live up to.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Pet Peeves
We all have them--admit it. None of us are holy to the point where we are above those things that nag us to the core and make us want to last out and strangle the closest living being to us.
I have many pet peeves. I'm a creature of habit and routine, so there's a whollleeee bunch of things that just grate on me like no other.
This is not an exhaustive list, but just a "few":
-Crunching food. Yes, crunchy food exists in this world, but before you chomp down, SHUT YOUR MOUTH! I don't want to hear it.
-People who don't respect time. If something starts at 10, it does not mean 10:05. I do my best to be on time, if not five minutes early--so I deserve the same respect in return. This also goes for people not even showing up without notice.
-Morning. I hate morning. If I did not have to start to be human until 10am (that doesn't mean out the door), I would be a happy camper
-Poor customer service. I've been a waitress, fast food slinger, worked in clothing stores, managed a thrift store, and other jobs along the way. Don't even try to make excuses, just do your job to the best of your ability please. And if you are overwhelmed, please explain that to people--they will be far more understanding than just getting cruddy service. We will be happier customers (and likely better tippers) if we know why we aren't receiving good service.
-Phones. As a child of the '80s and working on every computer since the dawn of the home personal computer with disks that looked like old school sega games and remember the first bumblings of the internet--who else remembers prodigy? I hate talking on the phone. If communication could be handled in person, face-to-face, by email, or other internet means without the use of the telephone, I would be one happy woman. This pet peeve borders on the edge of fears...that's how much I hate the phone.
-Jaywalkers. Living in a small community does not mean that every street is safe to meander across anything you please at your leisure. One day you're going to be a hood ornament.
-Unsupervised kids. Much of my time in the afternoons is spent driving around town on errands. So many children are playing in driveways, on sidewalks, and in the street without a supervisory eye in sight. I'm all for teaching kids how to be safe when they play outside, but young kids who probably couldn't even tell you their phone number should not be riding their bikes up and down the street without an adult within earshot...just saying.
-Lack of preparedness. I'm guilty of this one too sometimes. As my husband says often, "Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine." Granted, there's exceptions to every rule. But I'll just leave that one at that.
Anyway, we all have our pet peeves. Some are very vocal about them, and others shove them down deep and are just a pressure cooker waiting to burst. Some of mine, people are very aware of--others aren't, mostly because I don't know how to start a conversation with the guilty party that wouldn't incite WWIII or hurt someone's feelings.
Don't know where this post came from tonight...very random I know. Must have been too much sun today. I am extremely grateful to my husband tonight for encouraging (kicking my rear) to the end of the benefit walk we participated in today. I know he didn't really want to do it initially, but we had some pretty good conversation along with way. My fat rear is so out of shape, even for the walking I've been doing--my goal for today was to just not come in last, and we didn't! Actually, we finished faster than we estimated it would take. Praying that the heart to hearts that we had today sunk in. I need my hubby's support right now for some stuff--and sometimes that support is going to have to come in the form of figuratively knocking me upside the head once in awhile.
Sooo....as I'm falling asleep sitting up, probably time to go relax in bed and get ready for another great Sunday--we love our corps!
Update: Irate phone call my husband took the other day. Spouse of the irate person called hubby yesterday and apologized for the other spouse's behavior. Explained a little bit why the reaction came out so harshly. Doesn't quite justify such a lash out, but does make it a bit more understandable. Hubby told the spouse that they are welcome back anytime. (Irate phone caller had left in a huff before even being seen). Hubby called the volunteer to convey the information, and she was so happy to hear about it--she felt so guilty like it was her fault that the situation occurred, even though we tried our best to comfort and reassure her that it wasn't. She told hubby hearing that made her day. So, another happy ending :-)
Food for thought today:
"Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you." (Job 22:21)
What's your view of the usage of "prosperity" in this verse? (Hint: open up the Bible and read it in context) I'm curious to hear some other views on this one...
I have many pet peeves. I'm a creature of habit and routine, so there's a whollleeee bunch of things that just grate on me like no other.
This is not an exhaustive list, but just a "few":
-Crunching food. Yes, crunchy food exists in this world, but before you chomp down, SHUT YOUR MOUTH! I don't want to hear it.
-People who don't respect time. If something starts at 10, it does not mean 10:05. I do my best to be on time, if not five minutes early--so I deserve the same respect in return. This also goes for people not even showing up without notice.
-Morning. I hate morning. If I did not have to start to be human until 10am (that doesn't mean out the door), I would be a happy camper
-Poor customer service. I've been a waitress, fast food slinger, worked in clothing stores, managed a thrift store, and other jobs along the way. Don't even try to make excuses, just do your job to the best of your ability please. And if you are overwhelmed, please explain that to people--they will be far more understanding than just getting cruddy service. We will be happier customers (and likely better tippers) if we know why we aren't receiving good service.
-Phones. As a child of the '80s and working on every computer since the dawn of the home personal computer with disks that looked like old school sega games and remember the first bumblings of the internet--who else remembers prodigy? I hate talking on the phone. If communication could be handled in person, face-to-face, by email, or other internet means without the use of the telephone, I would be one happy woman. This pet peeve borders on the edge of fears...that's how much I hate the phone.
-Jaywalkers. Living in a small community does not mean that every street is safe to meander across anything you please at your leisure. One day you're going to be a hood ornament.
-Unsupervised kids. Much of my time in the afternoons is spent driving around town on errands. So many children are playing in driveways, on sidewalks, and in the street without a supervisory eye in sight. I'm all for teaching kids how to be safe when they play outside, but young kids who probably couldn't even tell you their phone number should not be riding their bikes up and down the street without an adult within earshot...just saying.
-Lack of preparedness. I'm guilty of this one too sometimes. As my husband says often, "Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine." Granted, there's exceptions to every rule. But I'll just leave that one at that.
Anyway, we all have our pet peeves. Some are very vocal about them, and others shove them down deep and are just a pressure cooker waiting to burst. Some of mine, people are very aware of--others aren't, mostly because I don't know how to start a conversation with the guilty party that wouldn't incite WWIII or hurt someone's feelings.
Don't know where this post came from tonight...very random I know. Must have been too much sun today. I am extremely grateful to my husband tonight for encouraging (kicking my rear) to the end of the benefit walk we participated in today. I know he didn't really want to do it initially, but we had some pretty good conversation along with way. My fat rear is so out of shape, even for the walking I've been doing--my goal for today was to just not come in last, and we didn't! Actually, we finished faster than we estimated it would take. Praying that the heart to hearts that we had today sunk in. I need my hubby's support right now for some stuff--and sometimes that support is going to have to come in the form of figuratively knocking me upside the head once in awhile.
Sooo....as I'm falling asleep sitting up, probably time to go relax in bed and get ready for another great Sunday--we love our corps!
Update: Irate phone call my husband took the other day. Spouse of the irate person called hubby yesterday and apologized for the other spouse's behavior. Explained a little bit why the reaction came out so harshly. Doesn't quite justify such a lash out, but does make it a bit more understandable. Hubby told the spouse that they are welcome back anytime. (Irate phone caller had left in a huff before even being seen). Hubby called the volunteer to convey the information, and she was so happy to hear about it--she felt so guilty like it was her fault that the situation occurred, even though we tried our best to comfort and reassure her that it wasn't. She told hubby hearing that made her day. So, another happy ending :-)
Food for thought today:
"Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you." (Job 22:21)
What's your view of the usage of "prosperity" in this verse? (Hint: open up the Bible and read it in context) I'm curious to hear some other views on this one...
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