Random Dozen Wednesday - 20100818

Yea!  It's time for another random dozen!  Linda over at 2nd Cup of Coffee hosts this fun meme.  Surf on over and check her blog out!

1. What is your favorite fair/carnival food?

For me it has to be Carmel Covered Apples.  Mostly because i do not get them very often, and i associate them with carnivals for some reason.  I've never enjoyed Cotton Candy - too sticky.  Funnel cakes... too... fried.  There is just something about the chewy caramel wrapped around a golden delicious apple.  Yummy!

2. Are you holding onto something you need to let go of?

There is always something to let go of... my own pride often gets into my own way.  Recently  the Holy Spirit has been showing me that i need to let go of many of my own preferences.  Something specific... probably my desire to have "my own time" as often as i do.  It's important to have decompress time... but i think i need to dial that way back.

3. What is your favorite gift to receive?

Game time... *chuckle*, i like to receive time to sit down and play Fallout 3, etc.  But the more practical, and just as enjoyable, restaurant gift cards.  My Beloved and i love to eat out.  With and without the kids.  The meals are usually delicious, no clean up, no prep work, etc. 

4. When was the last time you tried something new?

6-Aug @ about 1330 EDT - I went to a somewhat distant Mexican restaurant that i love with current and former co-workers (we were all together for the funeral of my friend's wife - she was the quadriplegic i had mentioned in past posts).  I usually go with the dishes i know, but this time i tried the lunch special... i was disappointed.  Usually that prevents me from trying something new... but i am actually eager to try some of the other items on the menu now.

5. What is your favorite and least favorite book genre?

To be honest i am not entirely sure because i really do tend to stick to things i know i like; however, the books i like the least are technical study books. For my job it is really helpful if you have certifications, and currently the most economical way to study for them is to buy the books and try and digest them.  It's like trying to build a toy wooden boat out of sawdust for me.

6.Silver or Gold?

Choosing between these two... silver.  I have a skin tone that just allows silver to look better - in my opinion.  To me gold is somewhat tacky, where as silver is more refined and beautiful.  If my Beloved and i ever exchange new rings to renew our vows, etc. i believe i will seek to have either platinum or white gold.

7. What makes you sigh?

This question caught me off guard for some reason.  I think the thing that makes me sigh the most is when someone does not put forth a good effort to do something, and takes the easy way out.  It's not beyond their ability, but beyond their willingness.  People who are not considerate of others and prefer to satisfy their own desires over the desires (or needs) of others.  I am not talking about someone who is already putting themselves out there, who is stretched and not able to stretch further, but people who just can't be bothered.  I usually sigh when i encounter such things.

8. If you didn't know how old you are, how old would you claim you are?

I think 39.  I liked my 30's - and i am loving my... well, years after that... too.

9. Would you break a law to save a loved one? To protect a loved one?

There are a lot of facets to that question... however, yes.  Depending on the context of "save" or "protect" is though.  Am i "saving" them from having to say go to jail because my loved one robbed a bank or killed some one... no, i would not "protect" or "save" them from that, but am i trying to "save" or "protect" them from say a bad relationship, yes.

10. If you had to teach something, what would it be?

I would like to think i would be able to teach about the Holiness of God.  Actually, i may be doing just that with the teens in my church here soon.  I am not talking about Evangelism per se, but the expounding of the characteristics of God.  I am a finite teacher, but if God would allow me, and work through me, to reveal something of Himself - even if the listeners never accept Christ - i feel that would be a great thing.

11. You're having lunch with 3 people whom you respect and admire. They begin to criticize a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend. What do you do?

I would like to think that i would begin to defend them.  Probably after remaining silent for too long before i spoke up.  In the end i do not like it when people criticize anyone, but especially when i know the person being spoken of.  If i know what they are saying isn't true i will more often than not speak up.

A fool's lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating.A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul. The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body. (Proverbs 18:6-8, ESV)

12. Which of the 5 Love Languages is your prominent means of experiencing love?

I retook the test just to make sure... for me it is a tie between Physical Touch and Words of Affirmation.  My Beloved and i actually went through the whole book sometime back and my results have remained fairly consistent, but one thing i have noticed about these kinds of quizzes.  Results can vary from day to day depending on experiences (both recent and older) and current mood.  It also is highly dependent upon the test taker being completely honest and truthful.

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Musical Monday - 20091019 - and any ramblings that come to mind

OK - before i get started on my usual Musical Monday offering i have to say - Dante Wesley! Dude! I don't care how hyped up you are, how aggressive you are trying to be, 1) You don't take out a player who has called for a fair catch, and 2) You DO NOT launch yourself at a player like that. Boo! (and not the Halloween kind either!) I am hoping the NFL not only fines you but suspends you for at least two games! I say that even knowing that the team needs you on the field because you are good player with a good heart, but that hit was completely uncalled for. Ok, because i am a little distracted here is my selection with my commentary to follow:

What Do I Know of Holy by Addison Road Album: Addison Road I made You promises a thousand times I tried to hear from Heaven But I talked the whole time I think I made You too small I never feared You at all No If You touched my face would I know You? Looked into my eyes could I behold You? (CHORUS) What do I know of You Who spoke me into motion? Where have I even stood But the shore along Your ocean? Are You fire? Are You fury? Are You sacred? Are You beautiful? What do I know? What do I know of Holy? I guess I thought that I had figured You out I knew all the stories and I learned to talk about How You were mighty to save Those were only empty words on a page Then I caught a glimpse of who You might be The slightest hint of You brought me down to my knees (CHORUS) What do I know of You Who spoke me into motion? Where have I even stood But the shore along Your ocean? Are You fire? Are You fury? Are You sacred? Are You beautiful? What do I know? What do I know of Holy? (CHORUS 2) What do I know of Holy? What do I know of wounds that will heal my shame? And a God who gave life "its" name? What do I know of Holy? Of the One who the angels praise? All creation knows Your name On earth and heaven above What do I know of this love? (CHORUS) What do I know of You Who spoke me into motion? Where have I even stood But the shore along Your ocean? Are You fire? Are You fury? Are You sacred? Are You beautiful? What do I know? What do I know of Holy? What do I know of Holy? What do I know of Holy?

There are several songs that i really enjoy regarding the Holiness of God, but this one struck me afresh this week. I feel that one thing that is generally missing from most of the pulpits in America is the sermon on God's Holiness. I, personally, do not need more sermons on how i should live my life. I do not want to attend a church about me. I have a desire to know my God more. To attend church to learn about myself is counter productive. Learning how to relate to God, who is infinite and objective, by trying to continually adjust myself, who is finite and subjective, is like trying to play pinball by continually trying to tilt the machine up/down/left/right. It is as we learn about God that we learn about ourselves - and thus we are in a much better position to learn how to adjust ourselves. I've said this before, but to try and reach a goal by using a constantly shifting aiming point is impossible. The best way to know God is to study and learn about Him. I don't care how good the evangelist, the speaker, the witness, unless the lay(wo)men are taught on how to relate to God from His perspective, the body of Christ (at least here in America) will never mature enough to be the kind of witness to the world that we are called to be.

Music Monday Deffered

What a couple of days... On Saturday i drove almost 500 miles round trip so that i could attend my "Aunt's" "Celebration of Life" ceremony. It was both a very joyful and very somber ceremony. I had the opportunity to see relatives i had not seen in a long time. Some as long as 30 years! For me it was more of a way to show how much that all too brief summer meant to me. I told my three surviving cousins, as well as my "Uncle" (they were all actually my cousins, but it seemed appropriate and respectful to call them 'Aunt' and 'Uncle') that it was the best summer of my childhood... and it truly was. I remember the walks down the local college, the walks around town. When my younger brother tried chewing tobacco and got so sick... the chores... the goodie bags my "Aunt" made up for us on Sundays that had to last all week... i had never wanted it to end. It was my Aunt's wish that the ceremony be one of celebration and not mourning. She was known as a woman of details as her oldest daughter so eloquently spoke of. She had chosen four songs to be played (one of which i used below). Afterward we had a mini luau. This summer has been a little more... strained... for lack of a better word coming readily to mind. My beloved's on-going health problems, my "aunt", a little 5 year old girl at my former church being diagnosed with Leukemia, another church member lost her mother and then her husband a week later, my co-worker's wife is in the hospital with severe issues... all told i really do not feel that it has been all that bad... but it can add up. So when we sang "It is Well With My Soul" it really struck a cord in my heart...

It Is Well with My Soul by Horatio G. Spafford When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul. Refrain: It is well with my soul, it is well, it is well with my soul. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, let this blest assurance control, that Christ has regarded my helpless estate, and hath shed his own blood for my soul. (Refrain) My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought! My sin, not in part but the whole, is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! (Refrain) And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight, the clouds be rolled back as a scroll; the trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, even so, it is well with my soul.

It is always good to remind myself that no matter what happens here on Earth my ultimate security, my ultimate provision, lies not in this world. "And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment..." (Hebrews 9:27 ESV) To some that may not be a comfort... but to those who know, and are known by, Christ it means there ever after being in Heaven with Him.

"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place [1] of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, [2] and God himself will be with them as their God. [3] He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”" (Revelation 21:3-4, ESV)

What more could a soul desire?

The Holiness of God

Late yesterday i went through all five short video's that i saw on Facebook by RC Sproul concerning the Holiness of God. Very good "stuff" to chew on. I had already planned to share them here today, but then life conspired that i should not get much sleep last night so i don't really have much more to share from my own thoughts... which is probably good as i can now stand aside and just let Mr Sproul speak...