Something borrowed - and my own ramblings mixed in

I read this over at a friend's blog and thought it was pretty cool.

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The Mayonnaise Jar and Two Cups of Coffee

When things in your life seem
almost too much to handle,
when 24 Hours in a day is not enough,
remember the mayonnaise jar
and 2 cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class
and had some items in front of him.

When the class began, wordlessly,
he picked up a very large
and empty mayonnaise jar
and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.

He then asked the students
if the jar was full.
They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and
poured them into the jar.
He shook the jar lightly.
The pebbles rolled into the open
areas between the golf balls.

He then asked the students again
if the jar was full..
They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand
and poured it into the jar.
Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He asked once more if the jar was full.
The students responded with a unanimous
“Yes.”

The professor then produced
two cups of coffee from under the table
And poured the entire contents
into the jar, effectively
filling the empty space between the sand.

The students laughed.
“Now,” said the professor,
as the laughter subsided,
“I want you to recognize that this jar represents
your LIFE”
“The golf balls are the important things -
God, family, children, health,
friends, and favorite passions –
things that if everything else was lost
and only they remained,
your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter
like your job, house, and car.
The sand is everything else –
the small stuff.
If you put the sand into the jar first,”
he continued,
“there is no room for
the pebbles or the golf balls.
The same goes for life.
If you spend all your time
and energy on the small stuff,
you will never have room for
the things that are
important to you.
So…

Pay attention to the things
that are critical to your happiness.
Play with your children.
Take time to get medical checkups.
Take your partner out to dinner.
Play another 18.
There will always be time
to clean the house
and fix the disposal.
Take care of the golf balls first –
the things that really matter.
Set your priorities.
The rest is just sand.”

One of the students raised her hand
and inquired what the coffee represented.
The professor smiled.
“I’m glad you asked”.
“It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may
seem, there’s always room for
a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.”

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I apologize for the infrequency of writing of late.  Life feels like it has been crazy since i started my anti-depressant meds.  Don't get me wrong, they are working wonders for me.  It's just that my writing endeavors have been focused elsewhere of late.  I write/read e-mails all day.  I write ticket notes.  I write problem summaries.  I even get a chance to write some more of my stories from time to time.  Then, when it comes time to blog... i feel like i am completely unsure of what to write about.  I have been doing the jot notes and save them deal... but i have not been coming back to flesh out the notes as often.  I am going to be trying to post at least one blog entry a week going forward.  Give myself a goal to shoot for.  8)  Anyway, for now... more rambling...

I had drifted away from collecting Pieces of Flair over on facebook, but i need to expand my MouseHunt flair some, and i created a few more pieces myself.  Besides, i really like using the images for spicing up my blog entries. ;-) So, time to spend some of my Flair credits.... 8)

Recently a really good morning radio show went off the air.  I really liked this trio, but alas the main guy took a job out in Northern California.  Fortunately one can catch things on the Internet.  LOL  It was the Mornings with Brant radio show.  I am especially going to miss their Monday Morning song, "I Saw the Light" as performed by The David Crowder Band:

It always brought a smile to my face.  I am not a fan of change, but i know that if there is one thing in certain in life, it's change.

Sometime ago, i had received an invitation - and please pardon me for not researching back through my blog to dig it up - to join a group that had strong disagreements with Sovereign Grace Ministries and its leaders.  With some trepidation i explored their site, and while i had a very hard time imagining the grievances i found there, i was also willing to admit that there are no perfect churches and it might be possible.  However, since i did not experience the situations first hand, nor did i know the people presenting them, i decided that i would not be joining them as SGM has richly blessed me, and as a result many others who i interact with - even on a daily basis.  So, with my continued support of SGM it grieved me to learn that C.J. Mahaney would be taking a leave of absence from his position as head of SGM.  This was due to several serious "charges" being made against him - you can read it more thoroughly on his blog: CJ's View from the Cheap Seats.  While i am disappointed, and grieved about these events (mostly due to my own pride) i am also encouraged by the steps being taken.  CJ is not without sin here, as is plain to read in his own words (as even more elaborately stated in his comments to his home church), and this has been occurring over a decade long period.  To read about his reconciliation with Larry Tomczak is especially heartening.  I do not know how it will all play out, but i do know that if more leaders would take the steps CJ has finally realized he needed to, the church of Christ would be a whole lot stronger today.

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Look, i know it's Thursday, and this was "due" on Monday... but hey, no blog before it's time.

Hello and welcome to my rambling Music Monday and miscelanities.  I usually have a Microfiction Monday contribution on Monday's, but i dropped the ball on that one.  I also want to get back on the horse with regular Music Monday postings... so, that will be posted below.  But, with my wanting to get something, anything, posted again... i am of course throwing several offerings in all at once.  I am told that these kinds of posts are enjoyable... i will take the word of those who have left comments and feedback as... i don't see how, but... OK. 

Oh, and since i will probably not post this until Thursday i should probably mention that "The Way of Walking with Christ" blog series has completed with last weeks post.  I have placed a link to a single post with all entries on my "Blog entries with a samurai theme" list to the right. Or you can just click on the link i cleverly inserted here with the title. 

This past Sunday i went over to my friend MOUSE's house (lol, pun not intended) for the Super Bowl.  He is a huge Pittsburgh Steelers fan.  It was nice to be invited out, and while his Steelers didn't win the big game, he put on quite a spread. Not only is he a football fan, and fond of tailgating... he is a Chef to boot.  Win-Win for team samurai Sunday night.  8)  One good thing for the Panthers right now... they are now officially undefeated once more, and they are #1!  #1 on draft day that is.  Let's see how the labor negotiations go between the owners and the players.  The more i think about it... the more i am on the player's side when it comes to the number of games played in a season.  Personally, i think 18 games are too many.  Player's bodies have a hard enough time making it through a 16 game schedule now, and the "concession" to add two (or is it three) more roster slots... not enough.  I feel that a minimum of five additional roster spots would be needed to help teams get through all of the inevitable injuries that would arise.  I like the idea of the rookie salary caps.  I like the idea of more money being set aside for players in the older ages to help with head injuries and other lingering issues.  Now, i understand that there are only so many M&M's in the jar out there, and how they all get divided up is pretty tricky, but... i am leaning towards agreeing with a lot of the players issues.  Still, it is hard to feel sorry for millionaires who get to play a game for a living - even if it is only for a few years (most likely), all the while the bulk of the fans - the ones who turn on the TV's. who pay the hard earned money to make it to the games, buy the products such as jerseys and hats, who are hurting to make ends meet.  Just because there are some who can dish out hundred's of dollars on a Sunday to see their favorite team play does not mean that we all can.  Well, anyway... the Panthers are undefeated once more, and they are #1!  Go Panthers!

Anyone who frequents this blog knows i am a fanboy of C.J. Mahaney, so it would only be natural for me to follow his blog.  Now, he is not the only contributor to the blog, but he does indeed contribute from time to time... ok... getting off track here... anyway, last Friday's blog was something i had pondered from time to time, but never really sunk my teeth into it.  It was titled "When Humility is Pride", and for some reason the title both caught me off guard, and glad to see as i know CJ has been accused of being artificially modest, that his humbleness is an act.  Now, one thing i know from having lived with my mother long enough, anyone can faux whatever they want, and they might be able to fool not just themselves, but others too.  The only impartial judge of the heart is God, but if you can be honest with yourself enough... it is good to perform self evaluations.  Anyway, this blog post really had me chewing and thinking and i thought it would be good to share.  Oh, and this is being added late, but... CJ has also been doing a great series on Criticism.  This is an area i REALLY struggle in, and i am not in any sort of public ministry (well, other than this blog... if it can be considered a ministry). Anyway, i know that for me i can be very prideful, and when everyone does not agree with me, or think that i am doing things in the most proficient manner... i tend to take exception and want to react before i really listen and evaluate.  I highly recommend this series as well.

Since last summer i have really been struggling to "pick up the pen" and get back to writing.  TULIP has told me that she believes this is one manifestation of my depression (among other things of course). I am inclined to agree.  When i am down i really don't feel like creating anything.  I end up just trying to keep my head above water.  When i finally start to claw my way out of it, and i get my fingers going once more... i do find an enjoyment of creating a story.  Well, i have been writing again... and that is a good thing.  I have a few chapters that needed to get posted over on my short story blog, Samurai's Yarns.  While i am being encouraged to "just keep writing" and "go back and edit later", i am not willing to post them until i have a chance to review and edit at least once before posting.  I am about 3,700 words into the next phase of the tale, with a rough estimate of another similar amount to go before this chapter is a wrap.  I also have inklings on the next phase too... i've just not fleshed them out any yet.

OK, finally this was supposed to be my "Music Monday offering this week.

Rain Song

by Day of Fire

Bring rivers in this wasteland

Clouds into this sky

Bring springs of life into the wells that have been run dry

Rise up in this city

Gather in this light

Fall down on your people

Your glory and your life

Rain

Lord we thirst for water

Rain

We are desert Land

Rain

On your sons and daughters

Rain

Bring your rain again

Speak dreams into this water

And vision to this land

That oceans be divided

And bring forth life again

Rise up in this city

Gather in this light

Fall down on your people

Your glory and your life

CHORUS x 2

Let the tide roll in

Washing over our lives

Let your water fall again

Bring rivers in this wasteland

Clouds into the sky

CHORUS x 2

Bring your rain again

Let your water fall down

Bring your rain again now

(repeat)

This song was speaking to me this week.  In the book of John we find the account of Jesus' interaction with the Samaritan woman:

A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.” Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. [2] The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.” (John 4:7-15, ESV)

I have always related to the imagery rain and being "thirsty" for God.  When we feel distant from God, and even before we confess Christ as our Lord, the deep desire of the need for that relationship... the need of a Savior, the need of fellowship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, can most be thought of... akin to if you will, a thirst.  Not just a my-mouth-is-dry thirst, but a thorough sense of relief-from-dehydration-as-every-cell-in-my-body-is-rehydrated kind of thirst.  Anyway... there are times in my walk where... i feel so very, very thirsty for the things of God, and when one gets a taste... it satiates like nothing else can.  Well, with my struggles with depression it feels like a vast Mohave Dessert kind of need.  The imagery of this song to me is off a rain storm in a dessert... of God's Spirit raining down and filling not just me, but others around (and through?) me.  There is a reason scientists look for water on other planets... without it (as far as we understand the universe presently) life is not possible.  The same is true for my walk with Christ... i NEED his Spirit to rain, and to reign.  Especially as i try and navigate this valley known as depression.

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Wednesday Wickedness - 20110105

Hi and welcome to Wednesday Wickedness! We are like other memes in that we will ask you ten questions each and every Wednesday. But our little "twist" is that each week we will pick a famous person and pick ten of their quotes. Each of our questions will be based on the quotes. Got it? Great! Let's begin this week's meme!

I am thinking about picking this back up again, but instead of trying to get this weeks famous person's quotes out there on time... i have decided to be one week late.  This way i can take my time and be more consistent with my participation.  Not sure how Janera Jepson will think of this... but it is the only way i will be able to keep up. I hope she doesn't mind.

Today we picked Mark Twain. Here's Wednesday Wickedness!

1. A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval.

Do you let yourself off the hook easily?

No, not really.  I tend to be very "hard" on myself.  It's not because i think of myself as better than anyone else, it's because i am the only one/thing i can really control.  And even that i struggle against my own sin nature (see Romans 7).  I have observed that people will often shoot for the lowest common denominator in almost any endeavor - including myself, therefore i attempt to set the bar as high as possible in order that i may achieve the best possible standards.  I am not always good at estimating just how high that bar needs to be however.

2. A man is never more truthful than when he acknowledges himself a liar.

Do you think everyone lies?

Yes i do.  Not all the time, but take into consideration that if any detail is omitted, or changed in the slightest bit,in order to manipulate the perception of the listener, even in the slightest way, it is a lie.  Now, not everyone does it maliciously, but i do believe everyone lies.

3. A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way.

What was the last thing that you had to learn the hard way?

Wow... to be honest i am not 100% certain.  Unfortunately most of my life's lessons are learned this way. Um, i believe the most recent one, and this was not the first time for me either unfortunately, that before one changes an IP address it is best to connect to the device by another interface first.  So, maybe i haven't learned my lesson... so maybe that shouldn't be my answer then.

4. A person who won't read has no advantage over one who can't read.

What types of things do you read?

Hmm... i read News articles (and no, not just about the Carolina Panthers), theological books (i.e. The Cross Centered Life, Reformed Theology, etc.), Science Fiction Books (i.e. Path of the Warrior, Guant's Ghosts, etc.), and various .pdf files regarding whatever router issue i might be working on - usually Cisco.

5. A person with a new idea is a crank until the idea succeeds.

Have you ever thought about something that did not exist and later it was invented?

I am pretty sure i cannot take credit, or even insinuate, that i ever had such an original idea/thought/concept, etc.  I can see his point though.  LOL  Recently i have been reading a lot of articles about how innovative the original TRON movie was.  How it showed so many things that the non-personal computer world had yet to realize, let alone understand.  I think similar things were said about the original Star Trek back in the 60's.  "It was ahead of its time" i believe the saying goes.

6. Action speaks louder than words but not nearly as often.

How well do you think that you observe people?

I am not a very good student of people.  I often miss the subtle clues, but i will take people at their word, and if they do not follow up - or what they have said is proved false,  i am hesitant to take them at the word again in the future.

7. Against the assault of laughter nothing can stand.

Have you ever used humor to diffuse a difficult situation?

I have, but i am not nearly as proficient as my oldest son, LONG-SHANKS.  He has a gift for being able to diffuse tense situations.  Often, a witty comment, or distracting remark can really help ease tensions.  But even so, it needs to be used with care... because often times, it can go the other way too.

8. Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.

How important is your age to you? Do you ever lie about it or refuse to reveal it?

I am not really mindful of my age.  I cannot do anything about it.  I cannot stop time.  It is what it is.  Every once in a while my beloved makes a comment, "only six more years until you are ___".  I usually have to think about it for a little bit.  In some regards it does matter though.  I do know that there are things that i used to be able to do as a lad... that i really shouldn't even begin to consider now. 

9. All you need is ignorance and confidence and the success is sure.

How important do you think confidence is? Are you confident?

Confidence is vital.  Too often a lack of confidence will kill a project before it even gets through the planning phase.  One thing is for sure... nothing can succeed unless it is attempted.  Now, having said all that... confidence is a major weakness of mine... i tend to lack it... a lot.

10. Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint.

Do you do everything you should to be healthy?

No, not really (he says as he pops another M&M and takes a sip of Dr Pepper).  I do try and avoid some things that are not good for me.  I try and limit the amount of pasta i eat.  I do try and avoid eating sweets all the time... and i try and limit myself to no more than one Dr Pepper a day.  Not perfect, but hey... that's me.

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"I Love Your Blog "

"Jingle", who has recently begun to read my blog from time to time, has tagged my blog with a "I Love to Read Your Blog" award.  Now, i think that is pretty nice.  So, i thought i would share it with whoever else happens to read these ramblings. 8)  I am honored that anyone, other than myself, would actually continue to come back and read more than once.

The rules are pretty simple, i now list 10 Things I love...

1) I love Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.  He is my rock and my sanctuary.  Since i responded to His call i have known unspeakable joy, and peace.  He is my Alpha and Omega.  Before there was time He knew my name, and He sought me out.  He was instrumental in my life when i still hated Him, and yet even then He reached out to touch and intercede for me.  Without Him, i have nothing.

2) I am deeply in love with my Beloved wife whom has been such an incredible blessing in my life.  God has used her in my life to learn and grow.  She has been an oasis in a pretty topsy turvy world.  She is truly my best friend and soul mate.  A precious gift of God, and i can never say thank you enough for her.

3) I love my children.  What an amazing source of grace in my life.  Not only has God entrusted me to teach and prepare them, He uses them in my own life to learn and grow.  Even aside from that, what a source of joy each of them are in my life.  Each one unique.  Each one amazing.  May God continue to shower them with grace and mercy (to make up for my failures), and when the time comes, may each of them launch out into the "target" God has for them, and may they influence their world for the Kingdom.

4) I love American Football.  For as long as i can remember i've liked football.  I still remember watching the Washington Redskins (my father's lifetime favorite team) take on the New York Giants on a grainy black and white television.  Not long after my dad took me to a game at Giants Stadium when the Redskins came to town.  Loved it.  I've been to several baseball games, and while i love the atmosphere at a ballpark, the franks, etc.  There is something about Football that just stirs excitement in me. There is a strategy involved, strength of will, teamwork.  It's not just 22 guys trying to knock each other down.

5) I love Elves.  I am not referring to the older Scandinavian like Sprites or those associated with St. Nicolas.  I am referring to the Tolkien type.  To be honest i am not really familiar with the smaller cousins, so i cannot speak as to why i do not prefer them over the larger ones; however, i can speak to the reasons why i love Token's version.  For one, the have a love of music (see #10 below) and the study of the world around them.  They fight ferociously against the encroachments of evil wherever it is found.  They are unhurried in their study of the world around them, and they seek to live in harmony with the environment.  They can afford to be patient as they live 'forever'.  And they have a grace of movement which is incredible.  If God ever allowed me to be something other than human, i think i would ask to be an Elf.

6) I love writing.  It is my creative side.  It's like the world i write in is all mine.  I can immerse myself into it and create whatever i want.  It is an escape for me.  One way that i can, in a fashion, still play with my "little army men".

7) I love learning about grace.  One reason i have a growing stack of books to read on my nightstand is because i do love to learn more about grace, to learn more about God and the study of His word.  One thing i do suffer from having a hard time forcing myself to reread things i may have covered.  Even if it is from another point of view.  Like my pride says, "oh, i got this, next..."  Once i trip over this landmine of my own creation i often have to reread the section.

8) I love strategy games.  I still remember playing my first two different strategy games.  The first one was (i believe) a "block game" simply called Napoleon.  It was a board war game with wooden pieces designating Infantry, Cavalry, and Artillery.  I was hooked within 5 minutes of being introduced to the game.  This happened the Summer of 1980.  I could probably still walk to the apartment my cousins had taken me to to visit with their friend.  The second one, and i am pretty sure it was at the same friend's house was a game called Tactics II.  Similar, but a more modern version and a little more dynamic in regards to the maneuver of troops, etc.  Later on i learned about Squad Leader (a WWII squad level tactics game), and Air War.  While i couldn't find a direct link to Air War, i remember devouring the rules and leaning about roll, pitch, yaw, inertia and how it required the build up of energy points to make turns, etc.  If only life were less complicated.

9) I love post apocalyptic science fiction.  I am not really sure when i was hooked, but there were several influences in my life.  Gamma World (RPG), Damnation Alley (movie) come to mind.  There is something to be said about over coming life difficulties, especially after having grown up with everything one needs to survive at one's fingertips.  I think it also has to do with a latent desire to simplify my life.  Granted... life would NOT be simple in such a world.  My more recent interests in this genre are the Terminator movie series, The Book of Eli, Shadowrun (RPG).

10) I love music.  Preferably music without lyrics.  My tastes range from Classical Symphony, quartets, rock and roll solos - guitar, drum, keyboard, or in the case of Jethro Tull - flute, to Celtic Folk music (i.e. River Dance).  I have had a desire, especially after joining our High School Pipe Band (TYNIE, a serious thank you for inviting me to join ~ my only wish is that i had participated longer), and really loving Jethro Tull back then didn't hurt either, to learn an instrument.  Preferably the flute or penny whistle.  Someday, maybe i will actually achieve this dream.

-=-=-=0=-=-=-

Now i am to tag other blogs that i love to read (and follow up with a comment on their blogs to let them know how much i appreciate and love their blogs).

CJ Mahaney's View from the Cheap Seats ~ While the title has CJ's name, it is also authored by Dave Harvey and a few others. 
Of First Importance ~ This is a Theological blog (author unknown to me) that seeks to share the gospel of Christ first and foremost.
Thoughts of a Wood Elf ~ This woman has a passion to follow the Lord like i have rarely seen. it is a beautiful thing.
Big Mama's Blog ~ This woman and i do not see "eye to eye" on a few things; however, she has a passion for singing and seeking. And she is open and honest enough to share it with the world.
A Lumberjack's Wife ~ A recent find of mine.  Hilarious, she has on more than one occasion induced Dr Pepper through the nasal passageways.
Monkeys are Funny ~ A fellow beneficiary of ADD as well as a public servant.  Well before her back injury, and i have found that although the body has failed in some aspect, the mind and heart have not.
Lovin' and Livin' ~ A long time internet/blogging friend.  Through storms and deserts she still persavieers.

What a long weekend

It seems like forever since i last updated this blog, but in reality it's only been what... 3 days?  Let's see, we had friends over until 1:30 AM, we've had two soccer games, a basketball game, Awana's (that i did not go to), i've changed jobs (well, not really, just employeers), started another blog entry that i will work on from time to time until i am happy with it, began using a CPAP machine last night, and to put the cherry on top, my beloved will be leaving for an Autism related conference tonight.  Life remains in a constant state of change, and intellectually i know that God is in charge and all things will ultimately be fine ~ and yet i still struggle with change.  I am constantly preaching to myself about God's sovereignty and to not allow my flesh to dictate how it reacts, and yet during these times of more upheavel than usual i have a very hard time sleeping, etc. Why is that?

Another thing that set me off kilter this weekend was a comment left by another well meaning person who has had issues with Sovereign Grace Ministries.  They felt that i needed to see the "other side".  In the end i just deleted their comment.  I have never seen the things they are referring to, nor have i known anyone who experienced such things.  Therefor i am unable to speak to such things.  I also find myself disagreeing with their theology.  So, in the end i feel that i do not need to know, nor do i wish to affiliate myself with, them.  I acknowledge that bad things can happen no matter what church you attend.  And while abuses need to be reported, differences of theology sould not be escalate to the point of causing open hostility. I am not a good debator, nor do i wish for this blog to become a forum for such debates.  I do not mind brief discussions, but this is not a place for debate.  As for me, i very much appreciate, approve of, support, and encourage others to attend Sovereign Grace Churches, and listen to messages by CJ Mahaney and the Pastors who seek to proclaim the gospel through Sovereign Grace Ministries.  God did not make us all Baptists, or Methodists, or Catholics.  But He has made me a Reformed/Charismatic/Calvinist/Non-Denominational/Fundamentalist Christian.  Opinions are like armpits, only yours stinks worse than mine. ;-)  I am aware that there will be a great many things that i hold as true in my mind that will not stand before the ultimate Judge of the universe.  My trust does not begin, or even end, with what i hold to be true.  It is firmly held by my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who came to the world in the form of a human child, who lived a sinless life, and then willingly went to the cross in order to be a propitiation for sins on my behalf.  He died there on the cross, was buried, and on the third day rose again.  He has since ascended to Heaven where He intercedes for me yesterday, today, and tomorrow.  He is God and i am not.  He is the perfectly Holy and righteous judge, and without Christ there is nothing within me that has not been tainted by sin.  No matter how "correct" my own views and opinions are.  Although i am fully justified before the Throne of God, i am being remade daily as i walk out my ongoing sanctification and being transformed more and more into the image of Jesus.  It pains me to hear that others are not being as blessed as i have been through Sovereign Grace Ministries, but that is true of anyone who attends any church.  Because man is involed, so will sin.  I pray that all those who are not in a church where they are being blessed and growing in Christ would find a church where this can happen.  The name on the door is not relavent.  What is relavent is that the gospel be proclaimed, that Christ is glorified, and that His people are growing in Christ.

Random Dozen

Because i am having to rub the sleepies from my eyes, and i am having a hard time focusing on any one thing i thought i would go with a blogging friend's "Random Dozen" for today:

1. When was the last time you craved a food--what was it, and did you cave? ~~~ The last time i craved anything was my Beloved's homemade Pumpkin Pie.  While she uses the Libby's pie filling she has a way of making this incredible pie crust!  While i had to be patient and wait for her to make it over the holidays, you better believe i caved just as soon as the opportunity presented itself. ;-)

2. M & M's or Skittles? ~~~ Please, there is no comparison. M&M's!  There is just something about chocolate and nuts, especially dark chocolate!  When M&M's puts out their bags of dark chocolate M&M's we get several bags and pace ourselves. ;-)

3. Have you ever read the Bible completely through? ~~~ I can honestly say yes, but only once.  It was while i was on deployment for the Guard and did not have as many outside "distractions".  To my shame i have not done it before or since.  Although i am seriously considering getting a copy of a reading plan and just start plugging away at it, ignoring any dates for such and such reading.  If i miss a day, just picking up where i left off.  Only, i don't like jumping back and forth between books, etc.  For example the plans that have you read some from the Old Testament, some from the New Testament, and a Psalm or Proverb.  I don't mind reading a book from the New, then a book from the old, then say a chapter from Psalms or Proverbs... but i want to complete a book/chapter before i move on to the next from a different section.  For some reason that bugs me.  And i want to start on the New Testament this time... even if that means having to read a book from the New Testament a couple of times as i finish the Old.

4. How long does it take you to really wake up in the morning?  ~~~ Oh i AM a morning person!  8)I will wake up with the alarm without using the snooze, although i have been known to use it - but when i do it actually makes me feel more tired.  I can usually go from being asleep to fully cognizant in 5 minutes or less, and i can usually be fully prepared for my civilian job in less than 15 minutes - to include shower - if i have to.  I am pretty sure it has something to do with my time in the military.  In basic we used to joke that we could hear the tendon in the Drill Sergeant's finger as he turned on the lights and could have two of three digits on our locker combination done before the lights were fully on. *chuckle*

5. Have you ever been on a cruise? If not, would you like to? ~~~ I have been on one for my honeymoon.  We had a great time and would love to do another one.

6. Who is your favorite actress? ~~~ I like Sandra Bullock.  She is a very driven and talented woman, and i am not just saying that because of "The Blindside" - which i loved by the way.  I have enjoyed pretty much every movie she has ever been in.

7. ______ is something that I will just never understand. ~~~ Wow, that is a loaded question!  And one with not just one answer.  Of course the first answer that came to my mind was "women". 8)  But in reality that was too easy.  I am not saying that women can be understood (by men), but that there really is a lot more that i will just never understand. For example, how does God's sovereignty and man's ability to choose work out?  I have an idea in my head, but as C.J. Mahaney would say, "you are in the deep end of the theological pool" when you think about such things.  But this is life.  We get to turn such things over and over in our minds like Rubik's Cubes.  Not only are there things that i will never think/believe i understand, but when i stand before the Throne of God, i am quite sure there are going to be a lot of things that i thought i did understand... only to be corrected on.

8. How much of a technology junkie are you? ~~~ Ooh... not nearly as much as i would like to be sometimes.  I am really intrigued by the new tablet readers like Kindles.  The iPhone is completely incredible.  I love what they are doing with cybernetics of late... incredible.  Hybrid cars fascinate me to no end.  Hi-Def TV's and Bluray players - WOW.  But at the same time, i do not kill myself to keep up with all of the latest and greatest gadgets.  I can't afford to. Nor do i have the time to keep up by reading about all of the latest devices.  I have a hard enough time keeping up with all of the trends going on within my own job (which has been in a non-stop "transition" since i joined this contract almost seven years ago), plus keeping up with what is going on in my children's lives.  As an example, my Beloved gave me my first iPod for my birthday several months back.  Until last night i was pretty clueless on how to delete files from it.  I had to sit down with my 14 year old last night, who showed me - and he has only had his since Christmas.

9. Do you enjoy selecting greeting cards for people, or is it more of a cultural "have to" for you? ~~~ I have never really been a sentimental type of person.  And to be honest, never really good with the "have to" part of etiquette.However, my Beloved has really helped me get better in this regard - even when my own bad attitude gets in my way.  She "stamps" and makes some of the best cards i have ever seen.  I love it when she makes up our Christmas cards every year.

10. When was the last time you got a new style/haircut?  ~~~ September 1986.  That was when i shipped off for basic training and was given my new hair style.  "Just a touch off the sides and top please!"  NOT!  I love my "style" currently though.  If i can grab it in between my fingers it is too long.  Before basic training i could pull my hair down over my face and tuck it under my chin - if you can imagine.

11. What do you enjoy shopping for most?  ~~~ Not much.  If i have to spend more than ten minutes looking it up on-line i get irked.  I will do comparison shopping, just i do it on-line.  And i am very grateful that God has given me a wife that enjoys shopping every bit as much as i do. 8)

12. What's the last thing you think of before you leave the house? ~~~ Keys, wallet, phone.


(Some notes since i am having trouble figuring out how to annotate source images... the clock image is from a collector's item from Fallout 3).