I was reading something by Piper last week and came across this about The Word. It was written by George Mueller. Here it is...food for thought.
The point is this: I saw more clearly than ever that the first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day was to have my soul happy in the Lord. The first thing to be concerned about was not how much I might serve the Lord, how I might glorify the Lord; but how I might get my soul into a happy state, and how my inner man might be nourished . . . Before this time my practice had been at least for ten years previously as a habitual thing to give myself to prayer after having dressed in the morning. Now I saw that the most important thing I had to do was to give myself to the reading of the word of God and to meditation on it, that thus my heart might be comforted, encouraged, warned, reproved, instructed; and that thus, while meditating, my heart might be brought into experimental communion with the Lord. I began, therefore, to meditate on the New Testament from the beginning early in the morning. The first thing I did, after having asked in a few words the Lord's blessing upon his precious word, was to begin to meditate on the word of God, searching as it were into every verse to get blessing out of it; not for the sake of the public ministry of the word; not for the sake of preaching on what I had meditated upon; but for the sake of obtaining food for my soul. The result I have found to be almost invariably this, that after a very few minutes my soul has been led to confession, or to thanksgiving, or to intercession, or to supplication; so that though I did not, as it were, give myself to prayer but to meditation, yet it turned almost immediately more or less into prayer. When thus I have been for a while making confession or intercession or supplication or have given thanks, I go on to the next words or verse, turning all, as I go on, into prayer for myself or others, as the word may lead to it; but still continually keeping before me that food for my soul as the object of my meditation.
The result of this is that there is always a good deal of confession, thanksgiving, supplication, or intercession mingled with my meditation and that my inner man almost invariably is almost sensibly nourished and strengthened and that by breakfast time, with rare exceptions, I am in a peaceful if not a happy state of heart.
Now that God has taught me this point, it is as plain to me as anything that the first thing the child of God has to do morning by morning is to obtain food for the inner man. As the outward man is not fit for work for any length of time, except we take food, and as this is one of the first things we do in the morning, so it should be with the inner man. We should take food for that, as everyone must allow. Now what is the food for the inner man? Not prayer, but the word of God; and here again, not the simple reading of the word of God, so that it only passes through our minds, just as water runs through a pipe, but considering what we read, pondering over it, and applying it to our hearts.
By the blessing of God I ascribe to this mode the help and strength which I have had to pass in peace through deeper trials in various ways than I have ever had before; and after having now above forty years tried this way, I can most fully, in the fear of God, commend it. How different when the soul is refreshed and made happy early in the morning, from what it is when, without spiritual preparation, the service, the trials, and the temptations of the day come upon one!
Monday, July 16, 2007
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Missionary
I thought it would be fun to try for an NC-17 rating. Here goes.
Last night we had a delightful visit with our nephew Jon who is a missionary in Japan. He had just arrived in MN to take a little break from being a missionary. His wife Hiromi who is also a missionary came, as well. In addition, their missionary daughter Rebekah flew in with them.
Their other missionary children Michael and Lydia were already here.
They left to begin their missionary work in the mid-80's so have been doing missionary work for over 20 years. Imagine that, 20 years as a missionary.
Do you think I have used the word missionary enough to get a worse rating. Just in case I haven't I will offer you one last word.
Missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary.
End of experiment. Wish me luck.
Last night we had a delightful visit with our nephew Jon who is a missionary in Japan. He had just arrived in MN to take a little break from being a missionary. His wife Hiromi who is also a missionary came, as well. In addition, their missionary daughter Rebekah flew in with them.
Their other missionary children Michael and Lydia were already here.
They left to begin their missionary work in the mid-80's so have been doing missionary work for over 20 years. Imagine that, 20 years as a missionary.
Do you think I have used the word missionary enough to get a worse rating. Just in case I haven't I will offer you one last word.
Missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary, missionary.
End of experiment. Wish me luck.
Update and New Rating
Just an update. Mr. D and I spent about 2 hours at the Bloomington Police station yesterday chatting with an officer about our neighborhood situation.
For those of you who were worried, "Unconscious Girl" was located at Fairview Southdale Hospital. Her sister brought her in later in the evening. I think he said her blood alcohol level was .17. She was born in 1990. Very sad.
From what we could piece together, when a report of an unconscious person being stuffed into a car (it happens all the time!) is issued and a description of a vehicle given, the police pursue the vehicle first. Makes sense. Then, it sounded like they notify hospitals in the area to report any behavior that fits the incident. In this case Fairview Southdale contacted them later in the evening, so they didn't pursue it further with us.
The policeman who we discussed this with got a printout of the activities of the last couple weeks and read us the report. The arrest we observed was for assault (is that how you spell assault?) in the coffeetable incident. There was a serving alcohol to minors charge and some others. Then, there was a list of a bunch of names of people they had identified at the party. The police officer said it read like a Who's Who of all the drugies in Bloomington.
What a sad way to live...in an altered state and with no hope.
For those of you who were worried, "Unconscious Girl" was located at Fairview Southdale Hospital. Her sister brought her in later in the evening. I think he said her blood alcohol level was .17. She was born in 1990. Very sad.
From what we could piece together, when a report of an unconscious person being stuffed into a car (it happens all the time!) is issued and a description of a vehicle given, the police pursue the vehicle first. Makes sense. Then, it sounded like they notify hospitals in the area to report any behavior that fits the incident. In this case Fairview Southdale contacted them later in the evening, so they didn't pursue it further with us.
The policeman who we discussed this with got a printout of the activities of the last couple weeks and read us the report. The arrest we observed was for assault (is that how you spell assault?) in the coffeetable incident. There was a serving alcohol to minors charge and some others. Then, there was a list of a bunch of names of people they had identified at the party. The police officer said it read like a Who's Who of all the drugies in Bloomington.
What a sad way to live...in an altered state and with no hope.
Monday, July 09, 2007
Pit Bulls and Airedales
Mr. D and I went out for our evening walk about 8:15. We stopped briefly and were having a nice chat with our neighbor Lee across the street. As we stood in the street near the curb, the door opened at the party house. The two pit bulls came bounding out unleashed at Mr. D and me. One jumped up on me! Imagine that, his pit bull paws on my legs!
Now, the thing is, I am allergic to dogs. I like them. I don't touch them or my eyeballs puff up. It's not pretty. So, I am standing in the street, partly freaked because I don't want my eyeballs to swell up, but mostly freaked because a pit bull is jumping up on me and I don't want to get him mad.
I tell party boy to get the dogs away from me. Mr. D tells him in no uncertain terms to get those dogs on a leash.
We walked our two miles and on the way up the hill, from across the street, an airedale puppy comes bounding at us. Now, I think airedales are cute, but they still make my eyes puff up if I touch them. So, I'm telling the owner to please call his dog, the owner is running across the street telling me he's just a puppy (well duh?). I guess he was trying to explain his frisky, out of control behavior (the dog's behavior, not the owner's).
Seriously, someone needs to tell dog owners to keep their dogs restrained.
Which reminds me of my cousin Dianne who raises prize winning sheep. She knows how to protect her sheep. She once took out a coyote in one shot while sitting on the riding lawn mower as her husband drove. A moving coyote, a moving vehicle, one shot. Way to go Dianne.
Some new neighbors with a Rottweiller and a Mastiff moved in across from her farm. She went over to meet them and they said, "Just give us a call if the dogs get out." To which she replied, "If your dogs get into my sheep pen, I will not be calling you. I will be getting my shotgun." That's how things work in the country, I guess.
A note to my favorite dog Molly. Please don't take this personally. You are my favorite dog in the world. I love how your little tail wags while you sit on the living room floor listening to conversations. Plus, you never jump up on me.
Now, the thing is, I am allergic to dogs. I like them. I don't touch them or my eyeballs puff up. It's not pretty. So, I am standing in the street, partly freaked because I don't want my eyeballs to swell up, but mostly freaked because a pit bull is jumping up on me and I don't want to get him mad.
I tell party boy to get the dogs away from me. Mr. D tells him in no uncertain terms to get those dogs on a leash.
We walked our two miles and on the way up the hill, from across the street, an airedale puppy comes bounding at us. Now, I think airedales are cute, but they still make my eyes puff up if I touch them. So, I'm telling the owner to please call his dog, the owner is running across the street telling me he's just a puppy (well duh?). I guess he was trying to explain his frisky, out of control behavior (the dog's behavior, not the owner's).
Seriously, someone needs to tell dog owners to keep their dogs restrained.
Which reminds me of my cousin Dianne who raises prize winning sheep. She knows how to protect her sheep. She once took out a coyote in one shot while sitting on the riding lawn mower as her husband drove. A moving coyote, a moving vehicle, one shot. Way to go Dianne.
Some new neighbors with a Rottweiller and a Mastiff moved in across from her farm. She went over to meet them and they said, "Just give us a call if the dogs get out." To which she replied, "If your dogs get into my sheep pen, I will not be calling you. I will be getting my shotgun." That's how things work in the country, I guess.
A note to my favorite dog Molly. Please don't take this personally. You are my favorite dog in the world. I love how your little tail wags while you sit on the living room floor listening to conversations. Plus, you never jump up on me.
Cops
As mentioned, our neighborhood is turning into an exciting episode of Cops.
Back to July 3rd. We were visiting with Mr. D's brother Toby when we received a call from Beth asking when we would return. She told Mr. D that there were 21 cars in the street. It was 7:30. Mr. D thought she was joking. She wasn't.
About 9:30 when we left to go see the fireworks at Lake Normandale there were only a handful of cars left at the party. They must have gone to the fireworks, too. (Now that is the topic of yet another blog post. It seems they do fireworks in Bloomington on July 3rd because it is more efficient. Probably cheaper, too, since they don't have to pay people holiday wages to work that evening. I hear they may move Christmas to December 27th so people can take advantage of the half price Christmas goods on the 26th. Now back to Cops.)
When we arrived home about 11:00 there were 27 cars parked on our street. We went to bed about midnight. Just as I was arriving in the Land of Nod, there was a knock on our bedroom door. It was Beth informing us that there was a fight going on outside. Thinking that it was just another loud party, we told her to try to ignore it and get to sleep. About a minute later, there was another knock. It was Tim saying he thought there was a fight going on outside. We figured something other than the normal, loud late night partying must be happening since the kids are used to that.
Sure enough, a look outside revealed about 30 people in the front yard embroiled in a drunken brawl. Mr. D said, "Get the phone." I went to call 911 and he went to the window. All of a sudden a bunch of people said, "Let's get out of here." They scattered, running all directions, and getting into cars and driving all directions.
When the police arrived, there were still enough fighting to give the police something to do. All Mr. D could really observe were photos being taken by the police, outside and a flash going off inside.
On Saturday, we were at Starbuck's and ran into some neighbors with a relative who is a policeman. This unnamed relative said that one evening (we're not sure which one) there were 10 underage drinking violations issued, a disturbing the peace ticket, and, if I remember correctly, a narcotics arrest. This relative found one of the underage drinking violations ripped up in the street, pieced it together, and found the girl's blood alcohol level was .20...perhaps this explains unconscious girl. If you are the girl who ripped up that ticket, please be informed that there will soon be a warrant out for your arrest.
Since we all love the Constitution and know that police can't just enter someone's house without cause or a search warrant, the police have a new strategy. They are lining up (like the cabs at the airport) in a nearby cul-de-sac and as the party "guests" drive off they are following them looking for drunk driving behavior.
There has been no cause to call the police since that day, but did I mention that the kid who lives there has two pit bulls that wander into our yard? They are the neighbors from H-E-double hockey sticks!
I've decided that the loving your neighbor as yourself thing means getting them some help and right now I think the safest place for them is detox or jail.
Back to July 3rd. We were visiting with Mr. D's brother Toby when we received a call from Beth asking when we would return. She told Mr. D that there were 21 cars in the street. It was 7:30. Mr. D thought she was joking. She wasn't.
About 9:30 when we left to go see the fireworks at Lake Normandale there were only a handful of cars left at the party. They must have gone to the fireworks, too. (Now that is the topic of yet another blog post. It seems they do fireworks in Bloomington on July 3rd because it is more efficient. Probably cheaper, too, since they don't have to pay people holiday wages to work that evening. I hear they may move Christmas to December 27th so people can take advantage of the half price Christmas goods on the 26th. Now back to Cops.)
When we arrived home about 11:00 there were 27 cars parked on our street. We went to bed about midnight. Just as I was arriving in the Land of Nod, there was a knock on our bedroom door. It was Beth informing us that there was a fight going on outside. Thinking that it was just another loud party, we told her to try to ignore it and get to sleep. About a minute later, there was another knock. It was Tim saying he thought there was a fight going on outside. We figured something other than the normal, loud late night partying must be happening since the kids are used to that.
Sure enough, a look outside revealed about 30 people in the front yard embroiled in a drunken brawl. Mr. D said, "Get the phone." I went to call 911 and he went to the window. All of a sudden a bunch of people said, "Let's get out of here." They scattered, running all directions, and getting into cars and driving all directions.
When the police arrived, there were still enough fighting to give the police something to do. All Mr. D could really observe were photos being taken by the police, outside and a flash going off inside.
On Saturday, we were at Starbuck's and ran into some neighbors with a relative who is a policeman. This unnamed relative said that one evening (we're not sure which one) there were 10 underage drinking violations issued, a disturbing the peace ticket, and, if I remember correctly, a narcotics arrest. This relative found one of the underage drinking violations ripped up in the street, pieced it together, and found the girl's blood alcohol level was .20...perhaps this explains unconscious girl. If you are the girl who ripped up that ticket, please be informed that there will soon be a warrant out for your arrest.
Since we all love the Constitution and know that police can't just enter someone's house without cause or a search warrant, the police have a new strategy. They are lining up (like the cabs at the airport) in a nearby cul-de-sac and as the party "guests" drive off they are following them looking for drunk driving behavior.
There has been no cause to call the police since that day, but did I mention that the kid who lives there has two pit bulls that wander into our yard? They are the neighbors from H-E-double hockey sticks!
I've decided that the loving your neighbor as yourself thing means getting them some help and right now I think the safest place for them is detox or jail.
Thursday, July 05, 2007
All's Quiet on the Western Front
As mentioned, all's quiet on the western front. The southern front is a different story.
Now back to last Friday night.
About 10:15 in the evening, as the crowd next door grew larger in size and were of a more altered state, I was monitoring the situation by standing in Beth's room and listening. At this point I heard the renter of the house appear on the deck and say, "Hey, let me tell you what just happened downstairs. That one girl (apparently the guests names are unknown) just slapped that black guy and he shoved her onto my coffeetable and broke it."
At this point, not wanting another girl to leave unconscious, I called 911. This was call number two of the evening form me. I was giving the guy the info, along with a tirade on how my daughter (and all of us in the neighborhood) had to listen to this horrible talk late into the night at least three nights a week. I also mentioned that I thought there was underage drinking and prostitutes (there goes my G rating!). As I was speaking, Mr. D came in to report he had heard the renter say, "She's bleeding all over the place." I relayed the info to Mr. 911 and he immediately said, "We're on the way."
Now, don't get me started on Bloomington 911, but apparently it takes blood to get them moving. They didn't seem too troubled about "Unconscious Girl" since it took 2 calls and 20 minutes to get them to come. Back to Friday at 10:30.
We went back to the window to watch and listen. About 5 minutes passed and we heard a voice yell out to those in the pool area, "The cops are here. Get inside now." There was a scramble, the lights in the pool went out and the flood light on the deck went out. The sliding glass door was closed and the curtains pulled tight.
It was dark and silent....for about 3 minutes.
Then, suddenly, from the back gate (the one the girl escaped from earlier when the police first visited) the yard lit up and the police came rushing in to the deck. There was a girl sitting on the deck and a guy standing there. The policeman said to the girl, "Are you okay, you look like you are crying?" Immediately, the guy started answering for her and said something like, "She's okay, she just..." at which point the policeman said, "Shut up and let her answer my question."
We couldn't hear her reply, but the next order on the agenda was heading in the house to do ID checks. There was a lot of yelling at the police (how stupid is that). We noticed our neighbor Mike standing in his driveway watching the spectacle, so we headed over there (they have a more complete view). There were at least 4 regular patrol cars and two unmarked cars (we couldn't see around the corner so maybe there were more police cars). About 20 minutes after the police arrived, an ambulance showed up, drove slowly by and left.
One arrest was made (I'm guessing underage drinking, but don't know for sure) and the renter was holding a piece of paper (we're guessing a disorderly house citation). The girls could hear him say, "We've learned our lesson, officer. We were just trying to have some fun." To which the policeman said, "That's not fun."
It was really quiet after that. In fact, it was so quiet it was hard to sleep! In fact, it was pretty quiet till Tuesday evening. But, you will have to wait till later to hear that story.
In the meantime, I have to figure out how to download my photos of the 4th. It was another magical evening watching fireworks from the beach at Excelsior, wearing glow necklaces and bracelets, and enjoying a perfect night.
Now back to last Friday night.
About 10:15 in the evening, as the crowd next door grew larger in size and were of a more altered state, I was monitoring the situation by standing in Beth's room and listening. At this point I heard the renter of the house appear on the deck and say, "Hey, let me tell you what just happened downstairs. That one girl (apparently the guests names are unknown) just slapped that black guy and he shoved her onto my coffeetable and broke it."
At this point, not wanting another girl to leave unconscious, I called 911. This was call number two of the evening form me. I was giving the guy the info, along with a tirade on how my daughter (and all of us in the neighborhood) had to listen to this horrible talk late into the night at least three nights a week. I also mentioned that I thought there was underage drinking and prostitutes (there goes my G rating!). As I was speaking, Mr. D came in to report he had heard the renter say, "She's bleeding all over the place." I relayed the info to Mr. 911 and he immediately said, "We're on the way."
Now, don't get me started on Bloomington 911, but apparently it takes blood to get them moving. They didn't seem too troubled about "Unconscious Girl" since it took 2 calls and 20 minutes to get them to come. Back to Friday at 10:30.
We went back to the window to watch and listen. About 5 minutes passed and we heard a voice yell out to those in the pool area, "The cops are here. Get inside now." There was a scramble, the lights in the pool went out and the flood light on the deck went out. The sliding glass door was closed and the curtains pulled tight.
It was dark and silent....for about 3 minutes.
Then, suddenly, from the back gate (the one the girl escaped from earlier when the police first visited) the yard lit up and the police came rushing in to the deck. There was a girl sitting on the deck and a guy standing there. The policeman said to the girl, "Are you okay, you look like you are crying?" Immediately, the guy started answering for her and said something like, "She's okay, she just..." at which point the policeman said, "Shut up and let her answer my question."
We couldn't hear her reply, but the next order on the agenda was heading in the house to do ID checks. There was a lot of yelling at the police (how stupid is that). We noticed our neighbor Mike standing in his driveway watching the spectacle, so we headed over there (they have a more complete view). There were at least 4 regular patrol cars and two unmarked cars (we couldn't see around the corner so maybe there were more police cars). About 20 minutes after the police arrived, an ambulance showed up, drove slowly by and left.
One arrest was made (I'm guessing underage drinking, but don't know for sure) and the renter was holding a piece of paper (we're guessing a disorderly house citation). The girls could hear him say, "We've learned our lesson, officer. We were just trying to have some fun." To which the policeman said, "That's not fun."
It was really quiet after that. In fact, it was so quiet it was hard to sleep! In fact, it was pretty quiet till Tuesday evening. But, you will have to wait till later to hear that story.
In the meantime, I have to figure out how to download my photos of the 4th. It was another magical evening watching fireworks from the beach at Excelsior, wearing glow necklaces and bracelets, and enjoying a perfect night.
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Arrested Development
They're baaaaaack!
Yep, the police returned to the house next door to us last night at 1:00 after I called them for the 3rd time since Friday. Mr. D has only called them twice since Friday.
We lived by the old Sears on Lake Street when we were first married and never had to call the police. Okay, maybe Mr. D called the police when his stereo equipment was stolen and oh, yeah, the first night he moved into the Midwest Challenge house (it was a Christian halfway house and he was a Bible teacher/pastor there) a guy was murdered in the back yard, but after we got married and lived there, there was never a cause for calling the police.
Where to begin. First of all I will begin with a lecture. When you partake of large quantities of malt liquor, you think you are having some quiet fun with friends. You don't realize that you are talking really loudly and the whole neighborhood can hear you. You also don't realize that your vocabulary becomes limited to one adjective that starts and ends like the word "firetruck", but isn't the word firetruck. You also don't realize that 2:30 in the morning probably isn't the best time to be talking loudly, using that one particular adjective (which generally is used that loudly and publicly by drunk 20-somethings and the occasional edgy pastor speaking at high school retreats).
Also, if you are partaking of large amounts of the malt liquor and inviting 20 to 30 carloads of people to a suburban neighborhood at least 3 nights a week and partying till 2 or 3 in the morning, you might just have a teensy, weensy drinking problem.
Mr. and Mrs. D put up with that behavior (which began the first weekend in June). No calls to the police for the drunken behavior and rude language that has kept us up or woken us up many a June night this year. We kind of felt sorry for you.
However, when you decided to have a more "edgy" crowd over last Friday that involved no more than 3 "girls", and one of them came in a miniskirt, fur hat, and high heel fur boots, and one was skinny dipping in your in ground pool in full view of the neighbors and it was only 6:15 in the evening, Mr. D called the "non-emergency" police number and gave them a hint that maybe someone needed to check out what was going on. Oh, this was after he heard skinny dipping pool girl screaming. It didn't sound right, but she wasn't screaming for help, hence the call to non-emergency. I arrived home shortly after the screams.
Now, just a tip for you girls out there. It's probably just not the best idea to go skinny dipping at all, but especially not in a pool area where you are the only girl surrounded by a bunch of "men" drinking that malt liquor. Just a little tip for you gals.
I went across the street to check with the neighbors about what they heard and saw. Mike saw skinny dipping girl from his deck. They all heard the screams and Ruth was on the phone with a different neighbor who had also heard the screams. Then, Mr. D came over and said, "I just called 911 when three guys came out with an unconscious girl." (She was slung over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes and two other guys helped stuff her in the back seat).
We went home and 10 minutes or so had passed and still no police! So, I called and relayed the story about skinny dipping girl and expressed some outrage that a girl had been hauled out unconscious at 6:30 in the evening and the police hadn't shown up. They came about 10 minutes later and they talked with the brother of the guy who rents the house (the renter, a recent Bethel College grad I might add, wasn't at home). He must have given them a story about why a girl was unconscious and slung over a guy's shoulder that they believed. They walked through the house, talked a bit more, then left.
As the police arrived, Mr. D observed a girl run out the back gate. Oh, yes, there was also a nasty fight going on between a couple of guys right before the police arrived.
After the police left, Mr. D and I decided to go for our evening walk. We got to the end of our driveway and observed a disoriented, hard looking girl coming down the street. She approached us and asked if there was a blue house with a pool. We recognized her as the girl who escaped when the police arrived. We told her there wasn't a blue house with a pool, but that the house right next door to us has a pool and we pointed to the house. She thanked us and started walking up the driveway to return to the party.
I said, "What's going on there?" She said, "A couple guys got in a fight and I got scared and left." Mr. D said, "Yeah, I saw you leave by the back gate when the police arrived." She said, "I don't know this neighborhood. I'm not from around here. I'm from the country," as she proceeded up the driveway. I said, "Go back to the country, it's safer there."
Well, that is enough for today and we haven't even gotten to the arrest on Friday at 11:00 or the 1:00 in the morning visit last night to stop the drunken brawl in the driveway involving 30 or so guests.
Bet you can't wait. In the meantime, Happy Birthday, America!
Yep, the police returned to the house next door to us last night at 1:00 after I called them for the 3rd time since Friday. Mr. D has only called them twice since Friday.
We lived by the old Sears on Lake Street when we were first married and never had to call the police. Okay, maybe Mr. D called the police when his stereo equipment was stolen and oh, yeah, the first night he moved into the Midwest Challenge house (it was a Christian halfway house and he was a Bible teacher/pastor there) a guy was murdered in the back yard, but after we got married and lived there, there was never a cause for calling the police.
Where to begin. First of all I will begin with a lecture. When you partake of large quantities of malt liquor, you think you are having some quiet fun with friends. You don't realize that you are talking really loudly and the whole neighborhood can hear you. You also don't realize that your vocabulary becomes limited to one adjective that starts and ends like the word "firetruck", but isn't the word firetruck. You also don't realize that 2:30 in the morning probably isn't the best time to be talking loudly, using that one particular adjective (which generally is used that loudly and publicly by drunk 20-somethings and the occasional edgy pastor speaking at high school retreats).
Also, if you are partaking of large amounts of the malt liquor and inviting 20 to 30 carloads of people to a suburban neighborhood at least 3 nights a week and partying till 2 or 3 in the morning, you might just have a teensy, weensy drinking problem.
Mr. and Mrs. D put up with that behavior (which began the first weekend in June). No calls to the police for the drunken behavior and rude language that has kept us up or woken us up many a June night this year. We kind of felt sorry for you.
However, when you decided to have a more "edgy" crowd over last Friday that involved no more than 3 "girls", and one of them came in a miniskirt, fur hat, and high heel fur boots, and one was skinny dipping in your in ground pool in full view of the neighbors and it was only 6:15 in the evening, Mr. D called the "non-emergency" police number and gave them a hint that maybe someone needed to check out what was going on. Oh, this was after he heard skinny dipping pool girl screaming. It didn't sound right, but she wasn't screaming for help, hence the call to non-emergency. I arrived home shortly after the screams.
Now, just a tip for you girls out there. It's probably just not the best idea to go skinny dipping at all, but especially not in a pool area where you are the only girl surrounded by a bunch of "men" drinking that malt liquor. Just a little tip for you gals.
I went across the street to check with the neighbors about what they heard and saw. Mike saw skinny dipping girl from his deck. They all heard the screams and Ruth was on the phone with a different neighbor who had also heard the screams. Then, Mr. D came over and said, "I just called 911 when three guys came out with an unconscious girl." (She was slung over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes and two other guys helped stuff her in the back seat).
We went home and 10 minutes or so had passed and still no police! So, I called and relayed the story about skinny dipping girl and expressed some outrage that a girl had been hauled out unconscious at 6:30 in the evening and the police hadn't shown up. They came about 10 minutes later and they talked with the brother of the guy who rents the house (the renter, a recent Bethel College grad I might add, wasn't at home). He must have given them a story about why a girl was unconscious and slung over a guy's shoulder that they believed. They walked through the house, talked a bit more, then left.
As the police arrived, Mr. D observed a girl run out the back gate. Oh, yes, there was also a nasty fight going on between a couple of guys right before the police arrived.
After the police left, Mr. D and I decided to go for our evening walk. We got to the end of our driveway and observed a disoriented, hard looking girl coming down the street. She approached us and asked if there was a blue house with a pool. We recognized her as the girl who escaped when the police arrived. We told her there wasn't a blue house with a pool, but that the house right next door to us has a pool and we pointed to the house. She thanked us and started walking up the driveway to return to the party.
I said, "What's going on there?" She said, "A couple guys got in a fight and I got scared and left." Mr. D said, "Yeah, I saw you leave by the back gate when the police arrived." She said, "I don't know this neighborhood. I'm not from around here. I'm from the country," as she proceeded up the driveway. I said, "Go back to the country, it's safer there."
Well, that is enough for today and we haven't even gotten to the arrest on Friday at 11:00 or the 1:00 in the morning visit last night to stop the drunken brawl in the driveway involving 30 or so guests.
Bet you can't wait. In the meantime, Happy Birthday, America!
Friday, June 29, 2007
THAT WAS ME
A few weeks ago I was in Starbuck's and bought Paul's new CD.
This is my favorite song on it.
I like the bass part. I also like the line that goes "spade and bucket by the sea" because it sounds so terribly British.
In case you need to know, here's a link to conkers.
It would also be a good song for anyone trying to teach prepositional phrases.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Parmesh
This is a picture of Parmesh. He lives in India and is two and a half years old.
My niece Mindy (who spent a year in India last year) learned of his condition from the YWAM family she worked with while there. Mindy writes: "He has congenital heart disease and has been told by Siliguri (the village) doctors that he needs corrective heart surgery in order to live. He is very small and has never been able to walk. His parents are Hindu; his father an alcoholic laborer. Cindy (the YWAMer Mindy worked with in India who knows Parmesh and his family) tells me he is a remarkably joyful child - ready smiles for everyone. But he doesn't have long to live unless he can get this surgery."
Mindy continues, "According to Cindy's research, the heart surgery they suspect that Parmesh needs will cost 160,000 rupees - roughly $3800. Then, of course, there are travel costs and hospital/hotel stays. God has really put it in my heart to raise the money for his medical costs and be able to show this family the love of Christ. I have informed Cindy of my desire to see a group of Americans sponsor the cost of his care, and with this knowledge she has gone ahead to seek treatment for him. This week she is traveling by train to Calcutta with Parmesh and his parents. Wednesday they will meet with the heart specialists there."
"I know this cause will resonate with many of you. I am asking if you would join with me and with the Andersons as we pray that God would spare the life of this little one. And I'm asking if you would join with me in giving money toward the costs of his medical treatment. Let's show this family that there is a true loving God who sees their need and longs to meet it. Let's be Jesus to them, even from a distance of many thousands of miles."
If you want to give, please write out a check to "AFC Global", and mail it to:
Steve and Diane Dahlen
4016 W 82nd St
Bloomington, MN 55437
"No need to write anything on the memo line. We will bring all the gifts to church, who will send it on to the Andersons. Your gift will be tax-deductible, just as if it were tithe. I am hoping to raise $5000 by the end of July, so that Parmesh can have his surgery in early August. If there is any money left over from this project, Todd and Cindy will use it to help other needy folks they come across every day."
Terry and I learned about Parmesh about a month ago and are happy to see that there is a way to help him. I just wanted to pass along the info so people can pray and send support as they feel led. (FYI: Diane Dahlen is Mindy's mom and Terry's sister).
Monday, June 25, 2007
Lions, and Crocs, and iPhone Shoppers, oh my!
My boy has to work this weekend at the store that he is not allowed to talk about due to a contractual agreement and as his mom I'm not sure I'm allowed to mention said place of employment. Although, I signed no such contract.
However, as his mom, I read with interest this article and find the 20 - 1 odds of someone getting trampled at his place of employment a little sobering. I guess Friday night will be like Wedding Dress Day at Filene's Basement.
So, wear a good pair of running shoes (and maybe a helmet) and as they tell you in the movies, please take a moment before work to locate the exits.
However, as his mom, I read with interest this article and find the 20 - 1 odds of someone getting trampled at his place of employment a little sobering. I guess Friday night will be like Wedding Dress Day at Filene's Basement.
So, wear a good pair of running shoes (and maybe a helmet) and as they tell you in the movies, please take a moment before work to locate the exits.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Battle at Kruger
I saw this posted on the Bayly blog, but didn't want to look. I thought it would be too sad. Terry told me it was worth watching and best of all it has a happy ending.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
One Ugly Dog
This dog just earned the title of world's ugliest dog.
I think he's cute in an ugly sort of way.
He was going to be euthanized for his ugliness, but someone rescued him, entered him in the ugly dog contest, and won $1000.
I think he's cute in an ugly sort of way.
He was going to be euthanized for his ugliness, but someone rescued him, entered him in the ugly dog contest, and won $1000.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Evan Almighty
We got 4 free passes to preview Evan Almighty last night.
It gave us quite a few laughs (before it turned all PC on us...you remember how the flood wasn't to judge mankind, but to teach us to work two by two, and also all Congressmen who own a business are polluters). We enjoyed it in spite of the lecture. It was worth every penny we paid to see it. :-)
Favorite line: "It sounds like Evan, but it looks like a Bee Gee."
It ended with a dance party.
I thought I'd make a list of movies that end with dance parties.
Let's see:
Night at the Museum
Princess Diaries
Help me out.
It gave us quite a few laughs (before it turned all PC on us...you remember how the flood wasn't to judge mankind, but to teach us to work two by two, and also all Congressmen who own a business are polluters). We enjoyed it in spite of the lecture. It was worth every penny we paid to see it. :-)
Favorite line: "It sounds like Evan, but it looks like a Bee Gee."
It ended with a dance party.
I thought I'd make a list of movies that end with dance parties.
Let's see:
Night at the Museum
Princess Diaries
Help me out.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
26th anniversary of the birth of my first son
Happy 26th anniversary of your birth, Chris! There was supposed to be a cute little newborn photo of you and me to accompany this, but it's on a computer or a disc somewhere other than at home. You were born on the first day of summer and Father's Day. What a great present!
Also, Katie, don't think that I didn't mean to acknowledge the 19th anniversary of your birth last month. I remember it well, especially the part where the midwife asked me to not hurry off to the hospital because she had a rhubarb pie in the oven that needed a half hour more to bake. I was going to have a nice family photo of you and your pirate cake, but it's in my camera and I'm scared to take it out. All this new-fangled computer stuff scares me. Help me, please.
Anyway, I am blessed to have such great kids.
Love you guys, Mom
Also, Katie, don't think that I didn't mean to acknowledge the 19th anniversary of your birth last month. I remember it well, especially the part where the midwife asked me to not hurry off to the hospital because she had a rhubarb pie in the oven that needed a half hour more to bake. I was going to have a nice family photo of you and your pirate cake, but it's in my camera and I'm scared to take it out. All this new-fangled computer stuff scares me. Help me, please.
Anyway, I am blessed to have such great kids.
Love you guys, Mom
Anniversary Week Continues...More on the Hat
Here's the cake. I think it was marble. I forgot how big it was.
This shot is a great one because it offers you the opportunity to see the back of my hat. About two weeks before the wedding I realized that I had to come up with a head covering option. I also liked hats. So, I found myself at the clearance table at Dayton's (which later became Marshall Fields and is now Macy's, but I still call it Dayton's) where I found a white hat with a big fake red rose attached. It was $7.
I brought it home and pulled off the rose. Then I went to Northwestern Fabrics and bought a bunch of tulle. (If you've ever planned a wedding, you know what a lifesaver tulle can be. Cheap and communicates the "essence of wedding".) Anyhoo, I grabbed several feet of the stuff, tied it around the brim of the hat and made a huge bow. The rest is history that is documented in this photo.
The reception was catered by the "Church Ladies". Church ladies are great. They made lovely little finger sandwiches (the cool spiral and checkerboard kind) and had a very artsy cornucopia made from a watermelon that spilled out fresh fruit. They had silver candelabra and real plates, silverware, and punch glasses. They made everything, set it up and served it. My dad had to pay the bill for the food and punch (I think it was under $400) for 250 people and I think there was a $1 or $2 per plate donation to the women's missionary fund also. The ladies all served for free in exchange for the donation.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Taking a break from anniversary week...
At the Bayly blog (Out of Our Minds, Too...), I found a link to a great article by Doug Wilson.
(Wasn't he a magician??? That must be a different Doug Wilson, this one is a pastor, in Idaho, or Montana, or one of those states, I'm too lazy to check.)
While lounging at the Bloomington pool (one of my favorite summer activities), I have been re-reading (or to be honest maybe the "re" should be taken off the reading since the first "read" was more of a "skim"), Above All Earthly Powers by David Wells. He spoke at the Postmodern conference done by the Desiring God (aka John Piper's peeps) last fall. Anyhoo, or is it anywho, the quote from the Doug Wilson article (which I will get to in a minute) fits in with the message of the Wells book.
The lesson I am learning is: You know that seeker church idea? Bad idea.
Why would I say that, you ask? Don't you think the seeker church is just a way of "contextualizing" the Gospel? Shouldn't we be "missional"? (I hate those newly made up terms so I threw them in for fun). Now, back to the "conversation".
Here's part of the Wilson article:
While speaking of the true calling of the preacher, A.W. Tozer once said, "We must not imagine ourselves commissioned to make Christ acceptable to big business, the press, the world of sports or modern education. We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum." Of course, some might object to quoting a writer like Tozer, a man outside the Reformed tradition, but we live in confused times. Men like Tozer might be worth half a dozen of our contemporary pretty boys, men who subscribe to the Westminster Confession because they think they might have read it once.
(Wasn't he a magician??? That must be a different Doug Wilson, this one is a pastor, in Idaho, or Montana, or one of those states, I'm too lazy to check.)
While lounging at the Bloomington pool (one of my favorite summer activities), I have been re-reading (or to be honest maybe the "re" should be taken off the reading since the first "read" was more of a "skim"), Above All Earthly Powers by David Wells. He spoke at the Postmodern conference done by the Desiring God (aka John Piper's peeps) last fall. Anyhoo, or is it anywho, the quote from the Doug Wilson article (which I will get to in a minute) fits in with the message of the Wells book.
The lesson I am learning is: You know that seeker church idea? Bad idea.
Why would I say that, you ask? Don't you think the seeker church is just a way of "contextualizing" the Gospel? Shouldn't we be "missional"? (I hate those newly made up terms so I threw them in for fun). Now, back to the "conversation".
Here's part of the Wilson article:
While speaking of the true calling of the preacher, A.W. Tozer once said, "We must not imagine ourselves commissioned to make Christ acceptable to big business, the press, the world of sports or modern education. We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum." Of course, some might object to quoting a writer like Tozer, a man outside the Reformed tradition, but we live in confused times. Men like Tozer might be worth half a dozen of our contemporary pretty boys, men who subscribe to the Westminster Confession because they think they might have read it once.
The point of preaching is never to make Christ acceptable. But in a man-centered era, this is automatically thought to be the task of the preacher -- how to make God acceptable to man? The problem which confronts us in the Bible is actually quite different. The real problem is one of sin, and how to make sinful man acceptable to a holy God. With this as the true problem, the solution, one which made holy angels stop their mouths, was the Incarnation, Cross, and Resurrection. That is how sinners are made acceptable to God. And how do they hear of it? The word must be preached, and preached to every creature.
But reverse "the problem," as we have, and we discover that "the solution" is necessarily reversed as well. And when the solution is reversed, we discover at the end of the day that we still have the gospel in our hands, but it is backwards and upside down. If we try to make God acceptable to sinners, we find that we are busily engaged in altering the faith once delivered to the saints. We should be preaching in such a way that sinners are altered, not accommodated. We should be preaching in such a way that the truth is adorned, not draped in tinsel.
I will end by repeating the point that hit me the most, and what I believe is wrong with the seeker church. Wilson writes:
The point of preaching is never to make Christ acceptable. But in a man-centered era, this is automatically thought to be the task of the preacher -- how to make God acceptable to man? The problem which confronts us in the Bible is actually quite different. The real problem is one of sin, and how to make sinful man acceptable to a holy God. With this as the true problem, the solution, one which made holy angels stop their mouths, was the Incarnation, Cross, and Resurrection.That is how sinners are made acceptable to God. And how do they hear of it? The word must be preached, and preached to every creature.
It's not my job to make Christ attractive to people. In fact, what arrogance to think that I could do something to make Him more acceptable to the world. He's done everything. The problem with fallen people is that they are not attractive to God and there is only one way for them to be accepted by Him, turning from their life of sin (repentance) and putting faith in His Son who bore their sin in His body on a tree.
Don't we need to help people see this? Isn't that the Gospel? Forget the cool clothes, or cool music, or messages on how to have a more successful family or business. Just preach the Gospel.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Wedding Week Continues...
Mr. D and I had a lovely anniversary. He gave me 30 red roses and a little blue box from Tiffany's. Hint: Little blue boxes from Tiffany's always contain good things! In this case it was a sterling chain with a sterling heart that had a lovely pearl going through the heart. Apparently, it was our pearl anniversary and had I been on top of things and looked it up I would have purchased him a set of pearl handled revolvers instead of the black iPod Nano with his initials engraved on it.
Here is a photo of the wedding party. The bridesmaid's dresses were Jessica McClintock, off the rack from Braun's. Now, about the brown tuxes, with the ruffled shirts. What can I say except it was the 70's.
The bridesmaids carried baskets of ivy and white and yellow daisies. I picked daisies not because they are cheap, but because, as Meg Ryan says in You've Got Mail, "I like daisies, they're such a friendly flower." I carried a bouquet of gardenias, stephanotis, and ivy...just like Princess Diana did when she married Chuck in 1981, apparently she saw my bouquet and wanted to copy it.
Monday, June 18, 2007
30 years as Mrs. D
It was 30 years ago today, June 18, 1977 at 2:00 in the afternoon at Faith Presbyterian Church in Minnetonka, Minnesota that I became Mrs. D.
The choice of groom was a homerun. The choice of the hat, on the other hand, was a strike out, or at least a wild pitch, or maybe a balk.
Happy Anniversary, Mr. D.!
Wanna go for 30 more?
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Death by Starvation: A Rant
I have been surprised by the silence from the right to life people about the Ruth Graham assisted suicide through starvation. I'm afraid no Christian leader wants to touch it because they feel it might reflect poorly upon her memory.
Remember, Kevorkian did time for this. I guess his actions seemed a little more "active".
Here's an article from the Dallas Morning News that addresses the topic as it relates to Mrs. Graham.
I first learned that it was legal to stop feeding someone through a feeding tube 10 years ago. Our 34 year old next door neighbor was starved to death by his wife against the wishes of his parents who had offered to be his caregivers and gave her permission to divorce him and move on with her life. He was not terminal, but had a brain injury from a car accident. The day he died, she dolled herself up and went off for a motorcycle ride with his therapist who was an usher at our church. (And, to think I had put her on my "Harvest List" and was praying for her to go to my church!) They vacationed in the Caribbean a few months later (probably on the life insurance money she collected) and she moved away shortly after the death by starvation. They are now married.
Then, 4 years ago, my not-terminal aunt was starved to death. She didn't even have a feeding tube, but had gone into the hospital with an electrolyte problem and learned she had a form of cancer in her bones that could be treated with a daily pill...it didn't even require chemo and she was in no pain from it.
Lesson learned: Stay away from hospital care givers if you can cuz you don't know who wants to starve you and tell everyone you want food and water.
Again, I, Linda Dugan, being of sound mind, want food and water. If I ever say I don't want food or water, I want that request ignored.
End of rant.
Remember, Kevorkian did time for this. I guess his actions seemed a little more "active".
Here's an article from the Dallas Morning News that addresses the topic as it relates to Mrs. Graham.
I first learned that it was legal to stop feeding someone through a feeding tube 10 years ago. Our 34 year old next door neighbor was starved to death by his wife against the wishes of his parents who had offered to be his caregivers and gave her permission to divorce him and move on with her life. He was not terminal, but had a brain injury from a car accident. The day he died, she dolled herself up and went off for a motorcycle ride with his therapist who was an usher at our church. (And, to think I had put her on my "Harvest List" and was praying for her to go to my church!) They vacationed in the Caribbean a few months later (probably on the life insurance money she collected) and she moved away shortly after the death by starvation. They are now married.
Then, 4 years ago, my not-terminal aunt was starved to death. She didn't even have a feeding tube, but had gone into the hospital with an electrolyte problem and learned she had a form of cancer in her bones that could be treated with a daily pill...it didn't even require chemo and she was in no pain from it.
Lesson learned: Stay away from hospital care givers if you can cuz you don't know who wants to starve you and tell everyone you want food and water.
Again, I, Linda Dugan, being of sound mind, want food and water. If I ever say I don't want food or water, I want that request ignored.
End of rant.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Feed Me
I was sorry to hear that Ruth Graham died today.
I was sickened to hear that she starved to death.
The Houston Chronicle reports:
"In recent weeks, she had asked that a stomach tube used to provide her with food and fluids be removed, Ross said Thursday.
I was sickened to hear that she starved to death.
The Houston Chronicle reports:
"In recent weeks, she had asked that a stomach tube used to provide her with food and fluids be removed, Ross said Thursday.
When the tube accidentally fell out earlier this week, she again renewed that request. It was reinserted, but after consulting with family and her longtime physician, the Grahams decided to stop giving her nutrients.
"In consensus with her family and others who have observed her levels of deterioration, and in consultation with her physician, she has not received foods or fluid for several days," Ross said."
I think the Grahams have set a really rotten example. Anyone who doesn't receive food or fluids for several days will die.
I know that removing the feeding tube is the way things go now, so I would like to go on record as saying that I would like to be fed. Also, if I, at any time say I don't want to be fed, I want that request ignored.
It is truly a frightening thing to me that many Christians have come to believe that food and water constitute "medical treatment". To withhold food from someone at their request is assisted suicide. To decide to withhold food and water from someone who cannot decide is homicide.
Sadly, I know of several cases where this has happened against family members wishes. For all of you who have lost a family member this way, I am truly sorry.
Saturday, June 09, 2007
God Loves Me
This is an encouraging article made more fun by the fact that I know the person who wrote it.
Friday, June 08, 2007
Evan, the new spelling champ, has asperger's--a form of autism which explains some of his quirky behavior.
This, perhaps, explains why he is schooled by his mom at home, but as I understand it through a program provided by his local school district.
The CNN reporter, on the other hand, does not have aspergers, so what do you suppose explains her quirky behavior!
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Stumbled upon this site
Anybody know anything about this site?
The people who started it live in Rochester and moved there in the early 80's so they could hang around Francis Schaeffer.
The people who started it live in Rochester and moved there in the early 80's so they could hang around Francis Schaeffer.
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Tiny Toon Adventures: How I Spent My Vacation (Part 1)
As of 3:00 this afternoon, Heritage Academy is out for summer vacation. Couldn't resist posting this. Also, anyone know where I can buy this video? I would love to own it, but alas, I think it's out of print.
Paul McCartney making mashed potatoes
This is rapidly turning into Paul McCartney week. I know it's almost 10 minutes long, but I think you won't regret it if you find the time to watch. I like this video because:
1. The mashed potato is my absolute favorite food in the whole wide world (followed closely by the mango).
2. It's a great lesson on how to prepare the mashed spud (I like it when he uses that word).
3. In addition to "spud" I enjoyed hearing other interesting words like "toppy bit".
4. My mom taught me to chop an onion the way Linda taught Paul, so I think that's kind of cute.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
She's Passionate About Education
This link will take you to Miss USA's fall at the Miss Universe Pageant last night in Mexico City.
Personally, I thought she fell quite gracefully.
What I thought was funny was what she said after she answered her question.
If you listen closely, I think she can be heard saying, "Good nachos." (Buenos nachos) and she concludes with, "Mucho gracia".
Personally, I thought she fell quite gracefully.
What I thought was funny was what she said after she answered her question.
If you listen closely, I think she can be heard saying, "Good nachos." (Buenos nachos) and she concludes with, "Mucho gracia".
Saturday, May 26, 2007
The Beatles - Till There Was You
Long story short, while trying to come up with the previously posted George Harrison tune, I accidentally bought the CD entitled With the Beatles thinking the song I was looking for was entitled "All I Got to Do" rather than Blow Away. But, the "All I Got to Do" on the With the Beatles CD was the one that went "Whenever I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I want you around, yeah, all I gotta do, ew, ew, ew ,ew, ew, ew is call you on the phone and you'll come running home"...you get the picture.
Anywho, I was glad I purchased said CD in error because it contains this lovely ballad by Paul.
I like this song because:
a. Paul is my favorite Beatle.
2. I always liked the musical "The Music Man".
III. It's not a typical Beatle song.
Enjoy!
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
George Harrison - Blow away (1979)
I found the song I was looking for! Yea, for me. So, it's not in sync, oh well. Enjoy!
Blog surfing
I was at the Slice of Laodicea blog and clicked on Bob DeWaay.
I was glad I did because I was able to read his article on true and false unity in the church.
I especially liked the last couple pages under the heading: False Unity is Man Centered.
He has a lot to say about the corporate vision of leading a church, about how once the corporate vision is adopted, people who disagree are labeled divisive.
Here's a quote from the article: "Those who have replaced the unity of the Spirit and the unity of the faith with unity of the pastor's personal vision are the truly divisive ones. They are guilty of the very charge they level against dissenters within the flock. Such leaders are causing dissensions and hindrances because they have willingly laid aside the teaching of Christ and His apostles in order to promote the wisdom of man."
Here's another: A "factious" person in the Bible (Titus 3:10) was one who departed from sound doctrine or Biblical practice, not one who failed to help religious leaders fulfill their vision for the future success and glory of a religious corporation.
I was glad I did because I was able to read his article on true and false unity in the church.
I especially liked the last couple pages under the heading: False Unity is Man Centered.
He has a lot to say about the corporate vision of leading a church, about how once the corporate vision is adopted, people who disagree are labeled divisive.
Here's a quote from the article: "Those who have replaced the unity of the Spirit and the unity of the faith with unity of the pastor's personal vision are the truly divisive ones. They are guilty of the very charge they level against dissenters within the flock. Such leaders are causing dissensions and hindrances because they have willingly laid aside the teaching of Christ and His apostles in order to promote the wisdom of man."
Here's another: A "factious" person in the Bible (Titus 3:10) was one who departed from sound doctrine or Biblical practice, not one who failed to help religious leaders fulfill their vision for the future success and glory of a religious corporation.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Tinky Winky
Everyone has their Tinky Winky moment. You know, when you say something stupid that takes on a life of it's own and becomes your legacy. For me it was the time on a road trip that I told one of my children who was thirsty to, "Swallow your spit." Taken out of context, it sounds terrible, well, come to think of it, in context, it sounds terrible, as well, but I digress.Jerry Falwell and Tinky Winky comes to mind as another example of this.
Mr. Winky said in an interview with Salon.com that it was a traumatizing experience.
"It was traumatizing, really," says Winky, who now owns a holistic healing center and makes occasional appearances on British TV. "I'm a very private Teletubby. I just wanted to get away, go over the hills and far away. But when you're 7 feet tall and purple with an antenna on your head and a TV screen in your belly, where are you going to go?"
Po declined to comment.
Winky then went on to say that Falwell was divisive (must have been listening to Matt Lauer who had taken in Anderson Cooper the night before).
But, let's face it, Teletubbies were creepy, so Falwell didn't get it all wrong.
I thought Douglas Wilson had nicer words to say about Falwell.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Burl Ives on Wookieepedia
One of my dad's favorite singers was Burl Ives.
I was surprised to find an entry for him on Wookieepedia.
I was more surprised to find a site called Wookieepedia.
I was surprised to find an entry for him on Wookieepedia.
I was more surprised to find a site called Wookieepedia.
Wish we had a moral majority
I liked Jerry Falwell and was very sad to hear of his death.
Jerry preached the gospel and applied it to his life. Isn't that what being a Christian is all about? Go, make disciples, baptize them, and teach them to obey.
And, what did he get for his effort?
I found the above Falwell family photo and I would say he got blessed.
From what I can tell by listening to the national media, anyone who knew the man (from Larry Flynt to Al Sharpton to Franklin Graham) said he was a kind person. Any "news"person who didn't know him is calling him divisive. (I couldn't believe that Matt Lauer didn't really give a bio of the guy this morning, but rather just referred to him as divisive).
Did you know that he started Thomas Road Baptist Church in 1956 at the age of 22? It started with 35 members and now has over 24,000.
Did you know that he founded Liberty University in 1971 and there are over 20,000 students there today? And all Matt can come up with was that the guy is divisive.
As if the goal of being a Christian is unity and inclusiveness.
I will miss seeing him on TV news shows. He was articulate, witty, polite, and bold.
You know how on those news talk shows everyone talks over each other and screams their point as loud as they can? Well, Jerry didn't do that. He just sat there with a smile on his face, waiting politely for his turn.
And, I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that sometimes I think our country is in the mess it is in not because of non-Christians who are promoting their agendas, but because Christians think the gospel is only about "getting people saved" and politics is bad. Or, worse yet, they don't want to tell people what the Bible says about abortion, or homosexuality because then someone might be offended and not pray the prayer. Well, if you are one of those people, I say wake up.
Our country doesn't have a king. We have a bunch of citizens, each one with an important voice. Use yours. It's your duty. YOU are the government.
As the election rolls around, read your Bible, apply it to your life and your country's politics, and at least vote for people whose beliefs honor God.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Shopping, Dinner, and a Movie
While the boys were camping with Boy Scouts, Katie, Beth, and I had a wonderful evening last night filled with shopping, dinner, and a movie.
First, we stopped by Target where we met up with Nikki and Mark (fresh from the ultrasound) and saw their first photos of baby boy "Beeper" Wallace.
We stopped by Old Navy to pick up some 2 for $5 flip flops...a summer necessity.
Finally, we came home to watch The Greatest Game Ever Played (which we had picked up at Target). It was a sweet movie, and yes, I cried at the end.
First, we stopped by Target where we met up with Nikki and Mark (fresh from the ultrasound) and saw their first photos of baby boy "Beeper" Wallace.
Here's Beeper!
Then, it was off to Noodles for some carbo-loading to prepare us for shopping.
Then, it was off to Noodles for some carbo-loading to prepare us for shopping.
We stopped by Old Navy to pick up some 2 for $5 flip flops...a summer necessity.
Finally, we came home to watch The Greatest Game Ever Played (which we had picked up at Target). It was a sweet movie, and yes, I cried at the end.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
"Sihn" Paris Hilton's Petition
"My friend Joshua started this petition, please help and sihn it. i LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!"
Got that quote off of Paris Hilton's My Space. She wants everyone to "sihn" a petition to have Gov. Arnold pardon her!
Let's see, Paris, you are caught driving drunk and have your license suspended.
Then, you are caught speeding while driving with your license suspended.
The officer gives you a "pass" when you tell him your publicist told you your license wasn't suspended.
A few weeks later you take off in your car and speed while driving in the dark with your lights off.
You are caught, have to go to court, and show up 10 minutes late.
The judge sentences you to 45 days in jail and you want people to "sihn" a petition to have the Governor pardon you.
Good luck.
Got that quote off of Paris Hilton's My Space. She wants everyone to "sihn" a petition to have Gov. Arnold pardon her!
Let's see, Paris, you are caught driving drunk and have your license suspended.
Then, you are caught speeding while driving with your license suspended.
The officer gives you a "pass" when you tell him your publicist told you your license wasn't suspended.
A few weeks later you take off in your car and speed while driving in the dark with your lights off.
You are caught, have to go to court, and show up 10 minutes late.
The judge sentences you to 45 days in jail and you want people to "sihn" a petition to have the Governor pardon you.
Good luck.
Friday, May 04, 2007
Please Don't Eat the Pansies
Dear eater of my pansies,Two weeks ago, I purchased a flat of lovely pansies from Wagner's Greenhouse. It was a beautiful spring day and I managed to plant a whole flat of pansies. Purples, blues, yellows, oranges, and whites (Mr. D tells me to always put a little white in the mix and it will make things pop!) I noticed yesterday that several of the pansies in the planter by our front door have been eaten.
Now, I know that a pansy is an edible flower, but I want to point out to you, dear pansy eater, that they are not your flowers. They are mine. I have chosen not to eat them (although I did try one the other day and found it tasted like eating a leaf), but rather to look at them, so please leave them alone.
I don't know who you are. Perhaps you are Mr. Bunny who I have seen in the front yard. Or, perhaps you are Calico Cat who Mr. D saw sitting by the planter last evening. If you are the wandering cat with the bell, I would like to point out to you that my girls have left you milk in the past and would be happy to do that again. Just ask. Or, maybe you are Chip or Dale, the little chipmunks who reside in the wood pile by the back patio.
Whoever you are, please stop eating my pansies.
Thank you,
MamaD
Thursday, May 03, 2007
No idling in the carpool lane, and one sheet of TP, please.
Sheryl Crow's good friend, Laurie David, who also happens to be the producer of Al Gore's Oscar winning movie "An Inconvenient Truth", said in an interview with The Rocky Mountain News that she wanted Al Gore to adopt her, he's such a great guy.
When asked what changes she had made in her own life to stop global warming, she replied:
"I don't believe everyone has to do everything. I don't do everything. It's about everyone doing something. I have changed as many lightbulbs as I could to (higher efficiency) bulbs. I started a new idling rule at the school carpool lane (cars dropping and picking up kids can't idle their engines more than 30 seconds). I bring a garment bag to the dry cleaners (instead of having the dry cleaners wrap her clothes in petroleum-based plastic). I drive a hybrid."
I love these Hollywood people. They do their little part to stop global climate change by starting a new "idling rule" in the carpool lane. How LA is that? It's an "inconvenient truth" for kids to have to take a bus to school. And, changing the lightbulbs isn't going to help a lot as Laurie jets about the world telling the rest of us who aren't jetting around the world what we should do.
I, for one, am glad Al Gore is not my dad. Although, I remember hearing from his daughter that he makes good toast.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
That's My Boy!
Last night Tim made a list of things he'd like to accomplish and or invent in life. Here's what he's got so far. (He gave me permission to blog it).
1. Car powered by nuclear fission.
2. Finding the melting point of wood.
3. Flame tempered wood
4. Car powered by nuclear fusion.
5. Eat my weight in banana pudding.
6. Create a new letter to be added to the alphabet.
7. Create fire without use of flint or tinder.
8. Write a musical about table salt.
9. Disprove the existence of cats.
10. Make a boomerang that doesn't return.
So, what's on your life accomplishment list?
1. Car powered by nuclear fission.
2. Finding the melting point of wood.
3. Flame tempered wood
4. Car powered by nuclear fusion.
5. Eat my weight in banana pudding.
6. Create a new letter to be added to the alphabet.
7. Create fire without use of flint or tinder.
8. Write a musical about table salt.
9. Disprove the existence of cats.
10. Make a boomerang that doesn't return.
So, what's on your life accomplishment list?
Saturday, April 28, 2007
The Deaf Lady
Anyone remember the Fawlty Towers episode where the deaf lady thinks her money has been stolen and Basil wins some money on Flying Tart, I mean, Dragonfly, who got off to a flying start? And then at the end it all falls apart when the vase breaks?
Well, Terry had kind of a Basil moment yesterday.
I called him in the morning and he mentioned that he had just received an unexpected, quick turn around design job that paid $500 that he could have done by the end of the day. Wow, what a blessing!
As soon as I got off the phone with him, I called Blue Cross to make sure my new hand therapist at Tria (this is a whole different blog post) was an "in-service" provider. In passing, I mentioned something about our $5,250 deductible for the year being met, and she said, "Your policy just renewed on April 1st and the deductible for the year increased to $5,750.
So, the cost of the old wrist repair increased $500 on April 1st, and we had no idea, but soon will be getting $500 more in bills.
I called Terry back and told him and he said that for one brief moment, like Basil, he was ahead. Then, someone broke the vase....or in this case, the wrist.
But I still say about the $500 in work that came in yesterday, wow, what a blessing!
Well, Terry had kind of a Basil moment yesterday.
I called him in the morning and he mentioned that he had just received an unexpected, quick turn around design job that paid $500 that he could have done by the end of the day. Wow, what a blessing!
As soon as I got off the phone with him, I called Blue Cross to make sure my new hand therapist at Tria (this is a whole different blog post) was an "in-service" provider. In passing, I mentioned something about our $5,250 deductible for the year being met, and she said, "Your policy just renewed on April 1st and the deductible for the year increased to $5,750.
So, the cost of the old wrist repair increased $500 on April 1st, and we had no idea, but soon will be getting $500 more in bills.
I called Terry back and told him and he said that for one brief moment, like Basil, he was ahead. Then, someone broke the vase....or in this case, the wrist.
But I still say about the $500 in work that came in yesterday, wow, what a blessing!
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Quote I Like
I like this quote from Frank Sheed.
"Who's Frank Sheed," you ask.
"I have no idea," I reply.
But, the quote is good. I found it on the Bayly blog along with a link to a good article by Charles J. Chaput who is the Roman Catholic archbishop of Denver. Here's the Sheed quote:
"It’s incredible how long science has succeeded in keeping men’s minds off their fundamental unhappiness and its own very limited power to remedy their fundamental unhappiness. One marvel follows another—electric light, phonograph, motor car, telephone, radio, airplane, television. It’s a curious list, and very pathetic. The soul of man is crying for hope of purpose or meaning; and the scientist says, “Here is a telephone” or “Look, television!”—exactly as one tries to distract a baby crying for its mother by offering it sugar-sticks and making funny faces."
"Who's Frank Sheed," you ask.
"I have no idea," I reply.
But, the quote is good. I found it on the Bayly blog along with a link to a good article by Charles J. Chaput who is the Roman Catholic archbishop of Denver. Here's the Sheed quote:
"It’s incredible how long science has succeeded in keeping men’s minds off their fundamental unhappiness and its own very limited power to remedy their fundamental unhappiness. One marvel follows another—electric light, phonograph, motor car, telephone, radio, airplane, television. It’s a curious list, and very pathetic. The soul of man is crying for hope of purpose or meaning; and the scientist says, “Here is a telephone” or “Look, television!”—exactly as one tries to distract a baby crying for its mother by offering it sugar-sticks and making funny faces."
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Beeper
So, why is grandma just finding out that "Beeper" has a blog?! Where have I been?
Check out "Beeper's Blog" and have a nice day!
Beep, beep!
Check out "Beeper's Blog" and have a nice day!
Beep, beep!
Monday, April 23, 2007
This Just Keeps Getting Better
What would we do without Matt Drudge and The Smoking Gun.
Enjoy reading about Ms. Crow's carbon footprint.
Enjoy reading about Ms. Crow's carbon footprint.
TP and SC
As Ms. Crow is jetting all over the US of A speaking out for the environment (and burning more fossil fuel in an month than I will use in my lifetime), she has come up with some great ideas.
Here's one.
Crow said: (4/19, Springfield, Tenn.): I have spent the better part of this tour trying to come up with easy ways for us all to become a part of the solution to global warming. Although my ideas are in the earliest stages of development, they are, in my mind, worth investigating. One of my favorites is in the area of forest conservation which we heavily rely on for oxygen. I propose a limitation be put on how many squares of toilet paper can be used in any one sitting. Now, I don't want to rob any law-abiding American of his or her God-given rights, but I think we are an industrious enough people that we can make it work with only one square per restroom visit, except, of course, on those pesky occasions where 2 to 3 could be required.
Now, before you get all angry about our Senators and Congresspersons, passing legislation on how many toilet paper squares a person could use (don't worry, I have an idea for 10 ply TP that would allow for using only one square), you need to keep in mind that one of Al Gore's legacies was the low volume flushing toilet which, you have probably noticed, can only handle one square of TP.
Mr. D., years ago, started calling our toilets the Algore. Just a little Monday morning FYI for you.
Here's one.
Crow said: (4/19, Springfield, Tenn.): I have spent the better part of this tour trying to come up with easy ways for us all to become a part of the solution to global warming. Although my ideas are in the earliest stages of development, they are, in my mind, worth investigating. One of my favorites is in the area of forest conservation which we heavily rely on for oxygen. I propose a limitation be put on how many squares of toilet paper can be used in any one sitting. Now, I don't want to rob any law-abiding American of his or her God-given rights, but I think we are an industrious enough people that we can make it work with only one square per restroom visit, except, of course, on those pesky occasions where 2 to 3 could be required.
Now, before you get all angry about our Senators and Congresspersons, passing legislation on how many toilet paper squares a person could use (don't worry, I have an idea for 10 ply TP that would allow for using only one square), you need to keep in mind that one of Al Gore's legacies was the low volume flushing toilet which, you have probably noticed, can only handle one square of TP.
Mr. D., years ago, started calling our toilets the Algore. Just a little Monday morning FYI for you.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Follow up on the Crow, David, Rove thing
I just found this article on "huffingtonpost.com" (it's where you end up on a rainy afternoon after Mr. D has just made you a cup of Caribou Fireside roast French press).
It seems that "the girls" (Crow and David) put their experience in their own words.
They were just a couple of girls "excited" to have an opportunity to speak with a Bush administration person about global warming. They just asked him to take a "fresh" look at the situation and he exploded with venom.
The article reads like a paper written by a couple of freshmen running for student council president.
This is my favorite part of the article:
"In his attempt to dismiss us, Mr. Rove turned to head toward his table, but as soon as he did so, Sheryl reached out to touch his arm. Karl swung around and spat, "Don't touch me." How hardened and removed from reality must a person be to refuse to be touched by Sheryl Crow? Unphased, Sheryl abruptly responded, "You can't speak to us like that, you work for us." Karl then quipped, "I don't work for you, I work for the American people." To which Sheryl promptly reminded him, "We are the American people."
At that point Mr. Rove apparently decided he had had enough. Like a groundhog fearful of his own shadow, he scurried to his table in an attempt to hibernate for another year from his responsibility to address global warming. Drama aside, you would expect as an American citizen to be able to engage in a civil discussion with a public official. Instead, Mr. Rove was dismissive, condescending, and quite frankly a bully."
Ummmmm, whos' the bully?
It seems that "the girls" (Crow and David) put their experience in their own words.
They were just a couple of girls "excited" to have an opportunity to speak with a Bush administration person about global warming. They just asked him to take a "fresh" look at the situation and he exploded with venom.
The article reads like a paper written by a couple of freshmen running for student council president.
This is my favorite part of the article:
"In his attempt to dismiss us, Mr. Rove turned to head toward his table, but as soon as he did so, Sheryl reached out to touch his arm. Karl swung around and spat, "Don't touch me." How hardened and removed from reality must a person be to refuse to be touched by Sheryl Crow? Unphased, Sheryl abruptly responded, "You can't speak to us like that, you work for us." Karl then quipped, "I don't work for you, I work for the American people." To which Sheryl promptly reminded him, "We are the American people."
At that point Mr. Rove apparently decided he had had enough. Like a groundhog fearful of his own shadow, he scurried to his table in an attempt to hibernate for another year from his responsibility to address global warming. Drama aside, you would expect as an American citizen to be able to engage in a civil discussion with a public official. Instead, Mr. Rove was dismissive, condescending, and quite frankly a bully."
Ummmmm, whos' the bully?
All she wants to do is have some fun
The White House Press Association Dinner was last night.I watched part of it on CSPAN.
The first thing I noticed was that "the press" is a really rude bunch.
When I tuned in, Association president Steve Scully was doing introductions. Several times as he spoke he had to say, "May I have your attention, please?" It made no difference, they just kept talking.
As students came up to claim their scholarships, the press kept chatting. It was like there was an audience of 2nd graders, with the difference being that 2nd graders would have given the speaker their attention when asked.
Keeping in mind that Steve Scully asked that politics be set aside for one night as he said, "An adversary is not the same thing as an enemy and an evening of civility does not mean we are selling out," I just read about Laurie David and Sheryl Crow.
Apparently, the two "ladies" took it upon themselves to approach Table 92 where Karl Rove was seated.
The Washington Post reports what then happened in this manner:
"I am floored by what I just experienced with Karl Rove," David reports. "I went over to him and said, 'I urge you to take a new look at global warming.' He went zero to 100 with me. . . . I've never had anyone be so rude."
Rove's version: "She came over to insult me and she succeeded."
Things got so hot that Crow stepped in to defuse the situation and then got into it with Rove herself. "You work for me," she told the presidential adviser, according to singed bystanders. "No," was his response. "I work for the American people."
News of the dust-up filtered quickly through the room. Some witnesses said David was very aggressive with Rove; a shaken Crow later said that Rove was "combative and unresponsive."
Mr. D commented on Crow's way with words when I read him the article. She said Rove was "combative" and "unresponsive". Well, which one is it Sheryl? Combative OR unresponsive?Oh, and next time you go to a fancy schmancy dinner and the MC asks you to set aside politics for the evening, why don't you just stay away from Table 92. Or, weren't you listening?
Friday, April 20, 2007
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Something to think about...
Moving on from a laugh at the expense of John Edwards, here is a more sobering article that is worth the read.
Hmmmm...
The package that arrived yesterday at NBC headquarters in New York was almost immediately flagged as suspicious, because it had been mailed from Blacksburg, Va., and bore the return name A. Ishmael.
Thus begins the article in the NY Times about the package sent to NBC.
Hmmmmm...
Thus begins the article in the NY Times about the package sent to NBC.
Hmmmmm...
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Obama
Here is a photo of Barack with his family. Fortunately, his children survived Roe v. Wade.Barack thinks the Constitution guarantees the right to suck the brains out of unborn children and disagrees with the Supreme Court decision that upholds the law making the procedure illegal. He said:
"I strongly disagree with today’s Supreme Court ruling, which dramatically departs from previous precedents safeguarding the health of pregnant women. As Justice Ginsburg emphasized in her dissenting opinion, this ruling signals an alarming willingness on the part of the conservative majority to disregard its prior rulings respecting a woman’s medical concerns and the very personal decisions between a doctor and patient. I am extremely concerned that this ruling will embolden state legislatures to enact further measures to restrict a woman's right to choose, and that the conservative Supreme Court justices will look for other opportunities to erode Roe v. Wade, which is established federal law and a matter of equal rights for women."
All I can say is : I hope this decision emboldens state legislatures to enact further measures to restrict a woman's right to murder her baby and that the conservative Supreme Court justices will look for other opportunities to overturn Roe v. Wade which is not a matter of equal rights for women.
Choose Life
Here is a photo of President Bush signing the partial birth abortion ban.
As we remember the tragedy of Virginia Tech, we need to remember that 4,000 unborn babies are murdered in this country each day. How can we expect post Roe v. Wade generations to value life when the weakest among us are allowed to be killed up until the moment they are born.
The Supreme Court did an amazing thing today.
I am adding a link to the National Right to Life web page where you can see just what a partial birth abortion is and read about other pro life issues.
And, speaking of the NRLC, to those of you (Dahlens) who were with our family at the big NRLC rally in DC in April of 1990 (nearly 17 years ago, yikes) all I have to say is, "Water, water, water..."
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Monday, April 16, 2007
Dick Cheney vs. Nancy Pelosi: The Blink-Off
I was searching You Tube for the Pelosi interview on Leno last week. Couldn't find it, but found this and decided to post it because after I tell you what she said, you might need a good laugh. Nancy thinks the government should provide national health care, education, and jobs for everyone. Just a friendly reminder, health care, education, and jobs are all good things, but it is not the job of "The Government" to provide them. This has been a public service message from Hip-Hop Co-op.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
There is such a thing as a free lunch!
Go here and read all about it.
We just got home from dinner at Chipotle. Here's the deal. Buy a burrito (other tasty Chipotle menu items work, as well) at Chipotle today or tomorrow (April 14th or 15th). When you pay, they hand you your receipt and a 2006 Burrito EZ Form. Bring your form and receipt back on Monday the 16th and you will receive a free burrito!
We just got home from dinner at Chipotle. Here's the deal. Buy a burrito (other tasty Chipotle menu items work, as well) at Chipotle today or tomorrow (April 14th or 15th). When you pay, they hand you your receipt and a 2006 Burrito EZ Form. Bring your form and receipt back on Monday the 16th and you will receive a free burrito!
Guys and Dolls
Amazing! Sky Masterson or maybe it's Nathan Detroit has come to life and is now doing fundraising on Trinity Broadcasting. I saw him on the T and V set yesterday and today in a brown pinstripe suit with a pink shirt and large pink silk scarf billowing out of the front pocket. And, here's the best part, since 2007 is the year of completion (Paula White told me), all's I gotta do is send Trinity Broadcasting $77 a month, $777, or $7,777 and whatever it is in my life that I need, I will get. I didn't phone in a pledge yesterday, so I missed the hundred fold anointing of my pledge. That anointing expired at midnight. Shucks.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
I'm Married to...
 | My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: The Most Honourable Terry the Educated of Fiddlehope in the Marsh Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title |
Second Try
My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is:
Entirely Miss Reverend Lady Linda the Pompous of Hopton Goosnargh
Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title
My Aristocratic Name is...
| My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Very Lady Linda the Antique of Colquhoun St Cahoon Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title |
This title came courtesy of a link from His Most Serene Highness Lord Aaron the Convincing of Bampton Underhoop.
I took the first title it gave me. I'm not sure I like the "Antique" part.
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Sunday...to be continued
The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, After three days I will rise. Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, He has risen from the dead, and the last fraud will be worse than the first. Pilate said to them, You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can. So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you." So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you." So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.
Friday, April 06, 2007
To Be Continued...on Sunday...
From Matthew 26
Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor's headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him. As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross.
Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor's headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him. As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross.
And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, This is Jesus, the King of the Jews. Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross. So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, I am the Son of God. And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way. Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani? that is, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, This man is calling Elijah. And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. But the others said, Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.
And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, Truly this was the Son of God! There were also many women there, looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him, among whom were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Monday, April 02, 2007
Today anchor Meredith falls on ice with Will ferrell
Two comments.
First, Meredith Viera is 8 months older than me. She should not be on ice skates or anywhere near ice.
Second point. Look carefully like Mr. D did and you will note that Ms. Viera has a price tag dangling from her coat. Must be her tribute to the late Minnie Pearl.
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