I think sometimes the things we believe are silly. We often have absolutely no idea what we base some of our beliefs on, but rather than taking the time to sort through all that jazz we just keep on thinking it. One example, today as I was leaving a friends' house we were talking and laughing about this stupid bird that, for the past couple weeks, has been flying into their living room window. Over and over again, it flys into the window, drops, lands on the ledge and flys in again. Today it decided to fly into a different window with a screen and I noticed it grabbed onto the screen with it's little claws and just sat there watching us. As we were talking about it, my friend made a comment to the effect of, "I wouldn't be surprised if that's my grandma." (who passed away last year) She went on to say, "you hear about weird stuff like that alot (I think she watches too much Oprah) and she is just checking in on us, I swear I just have this feeling that it's her." I didn't know what to add to that comment, I was so shocked. I mean, I know she doesn't have the same beliefs in God and the world as I do, but that to me just seemed a little off the wall. I think if she logically sat there and thought through it, she wouldn't know what made her think that. Anyways, I just thought that was really interesting, and pretty sad if you dwell on it too long! All I know is that I'm thankful I don't believe every creature who stares in the window at me is a deceased relative. That'd make staying home alone all the more freaky.
I'm leaving tomorrow morning to bike the 300+ miles from Belmont to Mackinaw (or Mackinac, whichever you prefer) with a bunch of high schoolers in the 90 degree humid, heat! PRAY FOR US!
Friday, June 16, 2006
Monday, June 12, 2006
In everything...
Philipians 2:
12Dearest friends, you were always so careful to follow my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away you must be even more careful to put into action God's saving work in your lives, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him.
14In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing, 15so that no one can speak a word of blame against you. You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people. Let your lives shine brightly before them. 16Hold tightly to the word of life, so that when Christ returns, I will be proud that I did not lose the race and that my work was not useless. 17But even if my life is to be poured out like a drink offering to complete the sacrifice of your faithful service (that is, if I am to die for you), I will rejoice, and I want to share my joy with all of you. 18And you should be happy about this and rejoice with me.
Oh God, why do I complain about everything? Why is it easier to look at everything you have given me in a negative and selfish way rather than enjoying the things you have blessed me with and rather be thankful. I'm pretty sure you are much more pleased with my praise and thankfulness than my thoughtless, empty chatter.
12Dearest friends, you were always so careful to follow my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away you must be even more careful to put into action God's saving work in your lives, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him.
14In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing, 15so that no one can speak a word of blame against you. You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people. Let your lives shine brightly before them. 16Hold tightly to the word of life, so that when Christ returns, I will be proud that I did not lose the race and that my work was not useless. 17But even if my life is to be poured out like a drink offering to complete the sacrifice of your faithful service (that is, if I am to die for you), I will rejoice, and I want to share my joy with all of you. 18And you should be happy about this and rejoice with me.
Oh God, why do I complain about everything? Why is it easier to look at everything you have given me in a negative and selfish way rather than enjoying the things you have blessed me with and rather be thankful. I'm pretty sure you are much more pleased with my praise and thankfulness than my thoughtless, empty chatter.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
gossip gossip gossip yuck
I found this post from last summer and knew I needed to post it again for my own sake at least! I can tell gossip is one of those stupid sins that will always be a constant struggle. Talking about the book, Free to Disagree.
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Well this started out as a reply to comments on my last post on this book but I just kept typing and typing so I decided to just post it:) Something Jen's comment made me think of was at another point in this book the author talks about gossip. Gossip was one of those things that i never felt I had a clear definition to, so I started to ignore it. I read what he wrote on it and I haven't forgotten it since. So not to preach at you or anything... but maybe it'll help you a little too:) He says, "The sin of gossip occurs when a person gives and unauthorized, distorted, or false report that influences another person to form a bad opinion about the person being talked about." I never thought about it that way, it is so true though. That definition is showing the power that our words totally have! Just by saying ONE thing about someone, we can cause a person to have a flase opinion about someone else so easily! Whether we are talking about our friends, parents, siblings... He also suggested some questions one should ask themselves in order to detect or become more aware of gossip/slander. (It's hard for me to ask these cause I tend to judge the person who's gossiping and I forget that I am just as bad as them, hopefully I can use these just to kindly talk to my friends and maybe try and make them aware, as well, when they are gossiping.) "
1. Why are you telling me this?
2. Where did you get this information?
3. Have you gome to the people named?
4. Have you personally checked out all the facts?
5. Can I quote you if I check this out?"
"(This) reminder just might be the dam that holds back the rampaging river of gossip."
---------------------------------------------------------------
Well this started out as a reply to comments on my last post on this book but I just kept typing and typing so I decided to just post it:) Something Jen's comment made me think of was at another point in this book the author talks about gossip. Gossip was one of those things that i never felt I had a clear definition to, so I started to ignore it. I read what he wrote on it and I haven't forgotten it since. So not to preach at you or anything... but maybe it'll help you a little too:) He says, "The sin of gossip occurs when a person gives and unauthorized, distorted, or false report that influences another person to form a bad opinion about the person being talked about." I never thought about it that way, it is so true though. That definition is showing the power that our words totally have! Just by saying ONE thing about someone, we can cause a person to have a flase opinion about someone else so easily! Whether we are talking about our friends, parents, siblings... He also suggested some questions one should ask themselves in order to detect or become more aware of gossip/slander. (It's hard for me to ask these cause I tend to judge the person who's gossiping and I forget that I am just as bad as them, hopefully I can use these just to kindly talk to my friends and maybe try and make them aware, as well, when they are gossiping.) "
1. Why are you telling me this?
2. Where did you get this information?
3. Have you gome to the people named?
4. Have you personally checked out all the facts?
5. Can I quote you if I check this out?"
"(This) reminder just might be the dam that holds back the rampaging river of gossip."
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