Long weekend

I feel like I've hit a wall today, and I am so looking forward to the long weekend. I wish I had more... instead I will be going back to reply to some of the very nice replies to some posts this week.
Verse for today:
Matthew 25:25-30, ESV
At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

I got nothin'

Well, at least not much. :) Not today anyway. The past three of four nights I've not been able to sleep very well. When I am really desperate I grab a spare blanket and crash on the floor next to our bed. I have no idea why, or how, that works, but I am usually out within five minutes - tops. Last night even that didn't work. I was too hot! On the coldest night we've had so far! So, around 1 AM, I climbed back into bed, folded back the blankets and slept with just a sheet. That did the trick... out like a light until it was time to get up this morning. I've started "The Cross of Christ" by John Stott (again). I think I am daunted by the size and depth of it. I constantly have to remind myself that I had no problem picking up "Lord of the Rings" and pretty much reading until I was done. Why is it that we have no trouble diving into projects, no matter how mundane, when it's something not of a theological bent - but when it comes to just picking up scripture, or a book like "The Cross of Christ", we waver?!? I also took home the book "Living the Cross Centered Life", by CJ Mahaney, last night (it's been sitting on my desk at work since I received it a few months back). CJ's writing has always been easy to read. When I've read his work in the past it was like drawing a sip from a cool refreshing glass on a hot day - easy to read, easy to absorb, and it feels like it penetrates through me. I also like the fact that the chapters are brief enough that I can delve into a chapter and finish it within 15 - 30 minutes. I'm thinking about doing a weekly commentary on this book... I dunno... I hope and pray that you all have a wonderful weekend. Verse for today: Matthew 6:5-8, ESV And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Day 8, and it's flannel pajama time once again

Man what a long weekend. Ok, it was not overly taxing, but I am pretty tired this morning.

With all the things going on I headed into my unit Friday night and as usual, I didn't get much sleep before drill (too many things running through my mind). Got up WAY before dawn on Saturday, "ran" for about twelve hours before the day was done, got to bed late Saturday night and up early again yesterday. Thank God for daylight savings time ;-). Sunday was sort of a repeat of Saturday (lot's and lot's going on for almost twleve hours), and then get home for the second shift. Once the kids were in bed I could barely hold my eyes open.

It was not all "pain and suffering" though. I went to a Panera Bread for dinner on Saturday night - I just love their food - and because I was in uniform they gave me 50% off! Man that was cool! I was also able to learn a few things over the weekend.

I was able to get the sections aligned under the respective Staff Sergeants so I do not have to worry about so much "direct intervention", and we were given a "Commander's intent" for the rest of the training year. It will be hard, but if we can pull it off, it should be very memorable for the guys, as well as for me (seeing that this is definetly my last year in uniform). I also found out that the guys that are detached will probably be back sooner than (I) expected. Which is a good thing. I also found out that my commander nominated me for the Honorable order of Saint Barbera. I am not sure that it will go through, but it was nice. I am not into things like 'orders' and all that, but it seems like a nice jesture - and I really appreciate the thought.

He also, and more importantly, nominated the head of our Family support group for the "Order of Molly Pitcher" - which is way over due. This woman has worked countless hours and taken a lot of time out of her schedule dating back to at least 2001. Even after her husband (the blankety-blank) left her, who is in my unit, she has remained a steadfast supporter of the troops. I hope she gets it.

Well, I am sure everyone who reads this blog (all, maybe, six of you) knowns now that we've turned the clocks back to "standard" time. It was wierd this year. Mostly because of the changes to the 'norm'. This year it ended a week later than usual, and will start again two weeks sooner next year. The more I think about it... I feel that "Day light savings time" should just become the norm. I used the think the other way, but then I realized that if we didn't do daylight savings... there would be times the sun would be up before 5:00 AM! But... now the sun will be setting before 5:00 PM! *sigh*... LOL

I actually had some good theological thoughts this weekend... but my tired mind is having trouble recalling them. I was able to listen to two out of three Cd's in a series titled "Christ and Him Crucified", by CJ Mahaney. It is a series that was done around the time the release of Mel Gibson's movie, "The Passion of the Christ". It is an excellent series and highly recommend it available for free MP3 download through the website, click on the links to each sermon). I might not get to expound upon my thoughts on it this week, as I am preparing to lead the discussion at our care group this week, but I am going to be talking about the "why's" of small groups so...

Ok, so I've rambled on long enough for today...



Verse for today:

1 Corinthians 15:3-6, ESV
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.

Taking a voluntary 'Timeout'

Well, with some of the overtime acrrued (as recently as last weekend ;-) ) I am taking this Friday and next Monday off. I need the extra time to just get some things done around the house - minor repairs, that sort of thing, but I also want to just take a day to spend with my beloved. Little things keep creeping up around the house. Some caulking that is cracking. Some painting touch ups. And recently, and this is not really minor, the shower door in our bathroom has broken. We can't shut it all that way and I need to replace it. So Friday is fix-it day. :) Monday though is just for me and my beloved. At least for the time while the kids are in school. I am hoping to treat my beloved to some one on one time. A chance to focus on just each other without worrying about the chores, or the kids. Maybe get away from the house to walk/talk. Go to her favorite (or one of them anyway) resteraunt - we have a coupon ;-). Friday I hope to also get up early to help get DS1 off to school and let my beloved sleep in. Then the rest of the day will be taking care of practical things that I know my beloved wants done around the house. Unfortunately the weekend is shot with me having National Guard responsibilities, but then Monday I am really hoping for a slow down, one-on-one, with my beloved. Verse for today: Song of Solomon 6:4-5a, ESV You are beautiful as Tirzah, my love, lovely as Jerusalem, awesome as an army with banners. Turn away your eyes from me, for they overwhelm me—