Henry thinks I need help...

SUCH a helper...

Henry is sleeping in a shoebox near my desk so that I have "inspiration" while I work on the end-of-semester stuff... What I really want to do is nap with him.

sigh...

NOPE! back to work!
Deb

Thanks, Dr. Kaiser!

I think Dr. Kaiser is amazing.

That's all..

Deb

I Yam what I Yam

Hat tip to Ruth (who, interestingly enough is a Tunafish Sandwich!)

You Are a Club Sandwich

You are have a big personality. It's hard for anyone to ignore you! You dream big. You think big. And you eat big. Some people consider you high maintenance, but you just know what you want... and when you want it. Your best friend: The Tuna Fish Sandwich Your mortal enemy: The Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich

What Kind of Sandwich Are You?

Adding a link on the side-bar

If you haven't been there, do visit
The Brian Williams Tie Report Archives...

And they say there's nothing worth reading on the Internet... for shame...

Deb

Self-editing

Several of you have emailed and asked if I'm "OK" -- the answer is, I am very much OK! In fact, I am probably in a better frame of mind, with a more realistic view of life and mission and vocation.

There's a million things on my mind I'd love to write about... and they are at my heart of hearts. And they have other people wrapped up in the story, were I to tell it. I don't feel like I can write with honestly and clarity about it at the moment. Other people may write to embarrass or make an example of others. I just can't be, well... that cheesy. I have to self-edit.

Here's my life summary at the moment: God's grace abounds, my family is well. Life is a little crazy.

I am under the gun to get a church history paper done on "The Early Church and the Ordination of Women." So if you'd pray for a minor miracle to happen so that I can get that puppy written (still very much in the outline stage) I would appreciate it.

While you're praying... pray for me as I begin the work of planning and preaching on "Hope" on December 28th. Pray that I will offer God's Word for God's people. I can't ask for anything more than that...

And as for the rest. Ah. God knows about that too. And when I'm on the other side of it, I imagine it'll blog...

Happy Thanksgiving, friends...

Deb

Thankful for...

I'm thankful for so many things... it's hard to list them all.

As I was starting my list, I remembered a song from "A FEW" years ago written by Billy Crockett and Milton Brasher-Cunningham. I tried to find a YouTube with Billy singing it... but there were just wanna-bes trying to perform it. So I'll just post the lyrics...

The song is called "Thankful Boys and Girls"...

And I am... one thankful girl...

Happy Thanksgiving, friends...

Deb



let us be thankful boys and girls
for eyes and ears and toes and puppies with wet noses
for lessons we have learned and love we have not earned
we follow the beat of amazing grace
o let us be thankful boys and girls

let us be thankful boys and girls
for kisses on the mouth and teenage heartbeats pounding
for lightning in the sky and laughter in the eye
we follow the beat of amazing grace
oh let us be thankful boys and girls

for all that brought us here and all that will see us through
the passageways of life that lead to you, lead us to you

let us be thankful boys and girls
for a little common sense and painted picket fences
when packing up the plans in rented moving vans
we follow the beat of amazing grace
oh let us be thankful boys and girls

let us be thankful boys and girls
for mendelssohn and brahms and shadows growing longer
for years that slowly go and grandkids we can hold
for memories to keep and sorrow running deep
we follow the beat of amazing grace
oh let us be thankful boys and girls

for all that brought us here and all that will see us through
the passageways of life that lead to you, lead us to you

let us be thankful boys and girls
when hope is not enough that death can’t bury love
for wine and bread and hymns remembering again
we follow the beat of amazing grace
oh let us be thankful boys and girls

Heading to the HOLY LAND...

It'll be a quick trip -- but in 2 days I'll be here.... !!!!

Can't Wait!!!! GO BUCKS! O - H!

(now...I really need to get to bed and do more work on my papers tomorrow...)

Deb

couldn't resist

Yes I'm swamped. SWAMPED. But I had to post this. If you haven't seen it yet...

Temporarily closed

It's the truth

It's a easy as...

It's as easy as... backing a trailer.

Recently I have been trying to be a writing coach and personal organizer to my progeny. The organizer part I can do. Well, sort of. The writing coach part, not so good. There's certain things that I do well, and seem to do them instinctively. How do you teach instinct? You don't.

Even if I give a step-by-step, there's really no substitute for experience, dang it. Practice makes perfect. Or may it should be "practice makes better rough drafts."

I just decided that this "writing" business is very much like backing a trailer. Anyone can do it, with enough practice, enough patience, and the right skill set.

It also helps if you know left from right... kinda like writing.

Yeah.

That's my story and I'm sticking with it!

Deb

Shared resource: The Lord's Prayer

Updated lyrics and chords with a simple five-note scale as written and led by Brian McLaren. Chords, wording, etc can be found here.

I'm not a very good guitarist (in fact, I'm a terrible one... mostly because of lack of practice!) but I think I could play this version on the piano.

Split theological hairs, if you like, over the wording and the changes... but I think it's usable and do-able. Oh yeah. And biblical.

Peace-
Deb

Apparently, I'm not who I thought I was...

Happy Birthday, Mr. President...

Here's my result for the "Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz..."

You Are a Marilyn!

You are a Marilyn -- "I am affectionate and skeptical."

Marilyns are responsible, trustworthy, and value loyalty to family, friends, groups, and causes. Their personalities range broadly from reserved and timid to outspoken and confrontational.

How to Get Along with Me

• * Be direct and clear
  
• * Listen to me carefully
  
• * Don't judge me for my anxiety
  
• * Work things through with me
  
• * Reassure me that everything is OK between us
  
• * Laugh and make jokes with me
  
• * Gently push me toward new experiences
  
• * Try not to overreact to my overreacting.
  

What I Like About Being a Marilyn

• * being committed and faithful to family and friends
  
• * being responsible and hardworking
  
• * being compassionate toward others
  
• * having intellect and wit
  
• * being a nonconformist
  
• * confronting danger bravely
  
• * being direct and assertive
  

What's Hard About Being a Marilyn

• * procrastinating because of fear of failure; having little confidence in myself
  
• * fearing being abandoned or taken advantage of
  
• * exhausting myself by worrying and scanning for danger
  
• * wishing I had a rule book at work so I could do everything right
  
• * being too critical of myself when I haven't lived up to my expectations
  

Marilyns as Children Often

• * are anxious and hypervigilant; anticipate danger
  
• * form a team of "us against them" with a best friend or parent
  
• * look to groups or authorities to protect them and/or question authority and rebel
  
• * are neglected or abused, come from unpredictable or alcoholic families, and/or take on the fearfulness of an overly anxious parent
  

Marilyns as Parents

• * are sometimes reluctant to give their children independence
  
• * worry more than most that their children will get hurt
  
• * sometimes have trouble saying no and setting boundaries
  

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else?
Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at HelloQuizzy

Friday Five: The Funny Papers

Presbyterian Gal from RevGalBlogPals writes:
After an exhausting election here in the states it's time for some spirit lifting! Join me with a nice cup of tea or coffee or cocoa and let's sit back and read the Funny Papers!

1. What was your favorite comic strip as a child?
Probably Peanuts. "Big sisters are the crabgrass in the lawn of life."

2. Which comic strip today most consistently tickles your funny bone? Zits!!

3. Which Peanuts character is closest to being you?
Hmmmm.... Pigpen? no... not quite that messy.
Freida? no... I don't have naturally curly hair.
Lucy? well... I am a big sister. I think I'll go with Schroeder: I have a unique way at looking at life and I don't like dealing with people who don't grasp the greater things of life. And I've even played a little Beethoven in my time.

4. Some say that comic strips have replaced philosophy as a paying job, so to speak. Does this ring true with you?
Well, yes in some respects. They do spend a lot of time doing "deeper issues" than just sight gags. (so to speak.) I mean, think about it. The Washington Post runs three (THREE!) pages of comics every day. There's never that many Op Ed pages!

5. What do you think the appeal is for the really long running comic strips like Blondie, Family Circus, Dennis the Menace as some examples?
They are reflections of "life" from someone's perspective. I can't actually say that it's always mine. In fact, a lot of time, I don't read them.

Bonus question: Which discontinued comic strip would you like to see back in print?

Hands down. NO question! Calvin and Hobbes!!!

Deb

Prayers for deliverance...

Hear my prayers for deliverance...


Lord, deliver my friend from evil...

You know the tender places of the heart which are bruised.

You know the anguished cry of the soul.

You count the tears and save them.

You are Protector, Healer and Champion
for the vulnerable, the wounded and the defeated.

Hear my cry...

Give my friend joy again.
And peace.
And the promise of an eternal YES! when earth ends... and heaven comes down.
Completely.
Finally.
When all is Yours...

AMEN.

quotable and keepable

[AP photo]

To those -- to those who would tear the world down: We will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security: We support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright: Tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope.

- Barak Obama, Grant Park, November 4, 2008

From David's Psalm:
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
[Psalm 20:7]

Is it Wednesday already?

I watched history being made last night. It moved me to tears. Not that I want to pin all of my hopes on a political candidate, or even a political process. But because, in principle at least, there is a feeling of hope and promise that I have not heard on the political scene before.

In the 8 or so presidential elections I have voted in (I didn't stop to count, just did some rough math), this is the first time I've been optimistic. In previous elections, I was just reserved. "EH. I guess I'll vote for him. He's better than the other guy." This time was different. I felt like I had a choice.

I've talked with classmates and they were pretty set on one issue to decide their vote: "family values." I pointed out we don't live in a one-issue world. And that one issue will not determine economic growth, national security or environmental protection. I suggested that we are a "global family" and perhaps it is time to move off of the Reagan-era rhetoric, and start thinking beyond our backyards. That if we are going to limit family services, including pre-birth ones, that as a nation we have to deal with the results. That if we have families subsisting (barely) just above subsistence, that we have to think about how they will feed, clothe and educate their children past bare subsistence levels. And... as unattractive as this is, perhaps the Church needs to think more pro-actively about meeting the needs of those around Her.

I had naive imaginings that this could be a civil conversation. I'm smarter now. (And proud to be your sermon illustration of "what is wrong with..." LOL! )

Be angry if you must. Be frustrated if that helps. But don't sit on your whining morals and not be a part of the solution.

Because I already am.
Believing in a hope that come from God -- not politics!
Deb

Here's encouraging news...

As part of the "bubble" of "older" Americans (gee THANKS!) I find it invigorating that I am not obsolete. I have a voice and life experience that are needed. After being told (more than once) that I need to let "younger voices" speak, and being ignored in favor of younger (male) voices, I find that I have the God-given capacity to reach unchurched people who are in a lifestage past lattes and before Centrum Silver.

It's encouraging.
It's challenging.
It's why I'm still in seminary.
It's why my voice will not be silenced.
It's why I am losing patience with the last bastions of decision-makers who are not affirming of diversity in the Body of Christ.
It's why I am thinking I need to learn Spanish...

Read more about it HERE!

Deb

You VOTED!

Vote furrr me... a tuna in every dish.

What's Your Hurry?

John Ortberg in The Life You've Always Wanted talks about 'hurry sickness." He says it is what keeps us from enjoying the things God is doing for us now, and what makes us fill our lives with things and activities that are perhaps not necessary. He describes the internal competition to make it through the grocery line first, or picking the "fastest" lane on our morning commute, trying to get ahead by seconds. As if it really matters...

I plead guilty.

Today, I ran a few errands after I dropped Bearded Brewer at the airport. I planned out my time so that I wouldn't have too many errands between the airport and the girls' afternoon fencing club. And it was fine. I didn't rush. The sunshine was bright, the trees lovely. It was a definite "WOW, GOD!" kind of day.

On my way back to my car after one errand, taking my time to enjoy the loveliness of a perfect fall day, I heard a man talking to his son.... "Hurry! Hurry up! We've got to get a soccer ball and then water bottles and ice and be at the field in 20 minutes. C'mon! Hurry!" The boy was trying to put on his shoes as his dad harangued him.

I cringed.

I knew I had done that at least once (OK, maybe 20 times) to my kids. It was never a banner day when I did it. In fact, it usually made things worse!

So, with a silent prayer for an easy afternoon for the father and son, I headed home. And then it hit me... I'm in my own "HURRY UP" mode with God. I have been asking God about what's ahead for me; I've been wondering about where I will end up in full-time service, and it is one that is over a year away. I look so far forward, I don't see today. And yet I long to know...

It's as if I'm saying, "Hurry! Hurry up God! I want to know where I'll be so that I can get done everything I need to do before I get there! Hurry up, God!"

And I cringe again.

So for today.... I will stop asking. I will start trusting in God's Providence, In God's ordained place. And I will enjoy the good gifts God pours into my lap... right now...

Good gifts like...

Tiria at rest... something I called "poured cat"...


Henry demonstrating contentment in a bean bag chair...


Polgara wearing a lampshade...

All good gifts around us
Are sent from Heaven above
So thank the Lord,
Oh thank the Lord for all His love...

Deb