home...

I am glad to be home. There's a lot to do in the next several weeks. I'm either going to blog like crazy or be deep in a pile of reading, writing, editing and freaking out.

I do have pictures to share from the trip to Providence... will get them up soon.

For now I'm reflecting and praying about life and everything else. Including why I'm signing up for summer classes when I am feeling overwhelmed with this semester...

I just want this to be done and over with...

Deb

Broken

BROKEN by LifeHouse

The broken clock is a comfort, it helps me sleep tonight
Maybe it can stop tomorrow from stealing all my time
I am here still waiting though I still have my doubts
I am damaged at best, like you've already figured out

I'm falling apart, I'm barely breathing
With a broken heart that's still beating
In the pain there is healing
In your name I find meaning
So I'm holdin' on, I'm holdin' on, I'm holdin' on
I'm barely holdin' on to you

The broken locks were a warning you got inside my head
I tried my best to be guarded, I'm an open book instead
I still see your reflection inside of my eyes
That are looking for a purpose, they're still looking for life

I'm falling apart, I'm barely breathing
with a broken heart that's still beating
In the pain there is healing
In your name I find meaning
So I'm holdin' on, I'm holdin' on, I'm holdin' on
I'm barely holdin' on to you

I'm hangin' on another day
Just to see what you will throw my way
And I'm hanging on to the words you say
You said that I will be ok

The broken lights on the freeway left me here alone
I may have lost my way now, haven't forgotten my way home

Find the video HERE!

On the road again...

She's being bad again.
What's she doing?
She is PACKING!
WHAT?? I thought you hid the uitcases-say!
I thought YOU hid them.
This is just SOoooo wrong.

Well... sorry kittehs...

The Harpist and I are headed to Providence, RI for the All-Eastern music conference. Along with 50 others from her high school orchestra plus other chaperones.

I've loaded my iPod and repacked... (left out shoes. DUH.) and decided to leave my laptop behind. Whatever assignments are due, will be late. Life it too short to sit hunkered over a laptop on a bus. Besides, I have LOTS of things to read for upcoming papers.

Yee haw...

Ya'll be good and I'll post pictures and tell you about it when I'm back.

Deb

Today I will make a difference...

Found over at Sound Bites:

Today I will make a difference. I will begin by controlling my thoughts. A person is the product of his thoughts. I want to be happy and hopeful. Therefore, I will have thoughts that are happy and hopeful. I refuse to be victimized by my circumstances. I will not let petty inconveniences such as stoplights, long lines, and traffic jams be my masters. I will avoid negativism and gossip. Optimism will be my companion, and victory will be my hallmark. Today I will make a difference.

I will be grateful for the twenty-four hours that are before me. Time is a precious commodity. I refuse to allow what little time I have to be contaminated by self-pity, anxiety, or boredom. I will face this day with the joy of a child and the courage of a giant. I will drink each minute as though it is my last. When tomorrow comes, today will be gone forever. While it is here, I will use it for loving and giving. Today I will make a difference.

I will not let past failures haunt me. Even though my life is scarred with mistakes, I refuse to rummage through my trash heap of failures. I will admit them. I will correct them. I will press on. Victoriously. No failure is fatal. It's OK to stumble...I will get up. It's OK to fail...I will rise again. Today I will make a difference.

I will spend time with those I love. My spouse, my children, my family. A man can own the world but be poor for the lack of love. A man can own nothing and yet be wealthy in relationships. Today I will spend at least five minutes with the significant people in my world. Five quality minutes of talking or hugging or thanking or listening. Five undiluted minutes with my mate, children, and friends.

Today I will make a difference.

by Max Lucado

A song for hope and peace...

Here's some music for the morning, sent to me by one of my sisters...

Please click here to see the video of a beautiful, encouraging version of "Amazing Grace."

I tried to embed it but it had "issues" - enjoy!

Deb

worship

The song that's on my heart...

Love Song
by Jason Morant

Where can I go
Where can I run from You
You're everywhere

You know all my thoughts
You see through my ways
And still You come to me
And so I sing a love song to You
And so I sing a love song to You

From Heaven above
Earth down beneath
Your love rains down on me

You know all my thoughts
You see through my skin
And still You come to me
And so I sing a love song to You
And so I sing a love song to You

You walk on waves
You run with clouds
You paint the sky for me to see
Your majesty
Your majesty is why I sing

And this is a love song for You
And this is a love song for You
And this is a love song for You
And this is a love song for You

You walk on waves
You run with clouds
You paint the sky for me to see
Your majesty
Your majesty is why I sing

Yes it's all for You
In my life a love song to You
In my life a love song to You
Everything I do
In my life a love song to You
In my life a love song to You
In my life a love song to You

Jason Morant
from the album Abandon

Synchroblog: International Women's Day

Deborah by Adriene Cruz

Julie writes:
Synchroblog - on March 8 post something on your blog about biblical women. This could be your experience (or lack thereof) with learning about these women, a reflection on the life of a particular woman, an exploration of the ways women led in scripture, or a midrashic retelling of the life of one of these women. Have fun with it, push yourself to discover new things, and let’s tell these stories together.


I have the same name as the woman I'm blogging about. (Quel surprise!) She's mentioned in Judges 4 and 5.

דְבוֹרָה

⁴ Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time. ⁵ She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went up to her to have their disputes decided. [Judges 4:4-5]

The nation of Israel was not following God. They were busy "doing evil" and were under oppression. In the middle of the mess, God chooses a woman, DEBORAH, to lead the people. They came to her to hear how to solve their problems, and eventually, how to defeat their enemies.

In a patriarchal society, Deborah held court, making decisions for her people..
In a nation that turned their backs on God, Deborah looked to God for direction, wisdom and power.
In a culture that saw women as chattel, she stood in her calling and her birthright.

Why does she inspire me?

She chose to resist the culture around her.
The nation was following other gods. She did not. She stood with her righteous, holy God, and God protected her and provided for her. She didn't make excuses or suggest a compromise. She obeyed.

It is not easy to stand against the current of the culture. It is diffictult to neither become a raving, angry male-bashing voice of oppression, nor a coy, seductive sweet thang who uses her gender to manipulate. To be God's woman, completely standing under God's love, mercy and grace is a constant challenge.

Lord, let me be a Deborah!

She moved with confidence.
Despite the odds, she obeyed God's voice and attacked the king of Canaan. Israel's commanders who were afraid to take action, and, indeed would not even try to take action with out her (Judges 46-15). Barak lost the honor of winning the battle. That honor went to Deborah.

Deborah was a woman who knew her God was trustworthy. She knew that the judgments she made and the plans that she crafted were seen with favor by God. She could move with the delivering sword of God, leading her armies in victory. There was no doubt in her mind that she was called, anointed and appointed to this task by God. When the Barak, the chief of her armies stood there in uncertainty, vacillating on whether or not to go forward, and finally begged her to go with them, she took up the challenge without hesitation. Her faith in God was THAT strong. There certainly would have been murmurings, or suggestions that if Barak wasn't sure, perhaps she was in error. She left the doubters in the dust.

Lord, let me be a Deborah!

She gave full-hearted praise and worship.
The entire chapter of Judges 5 is "The Song of Deborah" - a shout of praise to a mighty God who brought them through impossible odds and defeated their captors. Her leadership brought peace to the land for forty years - one of the longest stretches of rest and prosperity for the Israelites during the period of the Judges.

Her song re-tells the story and puts the victory in God's hands. She doesn't point her to perfect analysis of the situation nor her insightful battle plan, but claims the victory for God. She declares God's power, and metes out God's justice. She points to the faithful soldiers, the devoted people of God who rose up against their enemies. She inspires a tent peg homicide by Jael as she killed Sisera. She puts the credit and the honor on God. She did not pursue a war to make herself or her nation look invicible, but sought to bring peace to the land.

Lord, let me be a Deborah!

"So may all your enemies perish, LORD! But may all who love you be like the sun
when it rises in its strength." Then the land had peace forty years. [Judges 5:31]

International Women's Day

Sunday, March 8, 2009 is International Women's Day.

It won't be mentioned at my church. It might not be mentioned at yours either. In a way, I don't mind. I get a little tired of the "Day" concept. While it raises consciousness, it also pigeonholes the interest and action for that group in a one, or maybe two day, time period. Kind of like the Girl Scouts peddling cookies every March in our local malls, they fade from sight until the next season of Thin Mints and Samoas. (And yes. I bought my cookies from my favorite Girl Scout!)

The first women's day in 1908 wasn't really "international" but it brought 15,000 women to a march in New York City. No small shakes for a word-of-mouth event.

Since then hundreds of thousands of women have marched, met for conferences, passed referendums in boardrooms and served in the highest government leadership positions in the world. There is "access" but it is not universal. There is affirmation, but many times it comes with "strings" and a litmust test from various political factions.

Yes, we have made progress. Yes, women can vote and fully participate in their self-government. Yes, women are educated, preparing for a career that utilizes their gifts and passions. And yes, women have a voice in our culture.

And yet... I see so much undone. Even here.

Healthcare.
Maternity leave.
Childcare.
Clean water, shelter and food and clothing.
Safety.
Legal representation.
Education.

Tomorrow I hope to post a synchroblog on a woman of the Bible who has inspired me. To the unsung and unnamed heroes of Scripture, I say thanks...

Friday Five: Hasty Pudding edition

SONGBIRD TO THE RESCUE! Our regular poster, Sally, having been oppressed by Blogger today, I bring you a hasty Friday Five on the subject of pudding. If you are not a fan of pudding, then you will feel solidarity with Sally, except that you will be oppressed by pudding instead. ;-)

1) First of all, thumbs up? or thumbs down? Do you like pudding?
EH. There are times I do like it. I can live without it.

2) Instant or cooked? (Does anyone make pudding from scratch?)
A good home-made, rich, stick-to-your-hips rice pudding is fantastic. Can't say as I've had one in a long time. Most of the time, we make instant.

3) If you had to choose, would you prefer corn pudding or figgy pudding?
MAJOR EH and EW. Neither.

4) Have you ever finger painted with pudding?
I can honestly say I have not. I have, however, had a food fight with it. Chocolate. It was memorable. And messy.

5) Finally, what is the matter with Mary Jane?
Her hairbow is too tight and is giving her a headache. The crinoline under her dress itches. And she hates the lace around her neck. I'm sure that's it. Either that, or she's practicing to be a field goal kicker. (Truthfully, I think she found out she's a synonym for an illegal substance and is demanding a name change.)

Bonus: Share a favorite recipe that includes pudding!

MONKEY BREAD
24 frozen bake-and-serve dinner rolls
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1 box butterscotch instant pudding mix
1/2 cup butter, cut into small pieces


Let rolls sit on counter one hour until thawed. Cut in half. Roll in mixture of brown sugar and cinnamon. Place in well-greased bundt cake pan. Sprinkle pudding mix over top. Distribute butter pieces on top of the pudding mix.

Let rise for 2 hours in a protected, warm space. (OPTION - Let rise overnight in your refrigerator, covered with plastic wrap.)

Bake at 350°F for 30 to 40 minutes. Cover with foil the last 15 minutes of baking.

Immediately after removing from the oven, carefully release edges and center tube with a knife. Invert onto a serving plate.

(I have NO idea why it is called "monkey bread" since there's no bananas in it... but it's still good.) :)

And that's my Friday Five - on Saturday.
Deb

The Virginia Beach Blizzard

The Virginia Beach Blizzard...
It's just hard to describe...

It was terrible!!

The cold, frigid winter air...

Windy.

Blowing and drifting snow.

Ice on bridges and overpasses.




Just not here.
But my class was canceled today....

Can you see why??

yeah. me neither...
...so I did homework instead. It's all good.