King David of Israel was chosen by God to be king when he was just a boy. His predecessor Saul had also been chosen by God to be king, when the people were disgruntled with the prophets that had been in the service of the Lord. But Saul had issues, and God had plans.
David the shepherd had the courage to fight the Philistine giant, when none of the warriors of Israel would. God provided that victory, and also provided David the kingdom. The Old Testament stories of David's glorious triumphs against all odds make you want to stand up and bellow "THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKIN' 'BOUT!"
But there were losses in David's life also, as there are loses in every life. During one of the times his people were away fighting, he was home putzing in the castle. He happened to see the wife of Uriah, one of his elite warriors, bathing. He was immediately smitten, summoned her, and produced a child with her. He ended up having Uriah left at the front of the battle lines, where the fighting was fiercest, so that he was killed.
David was immediately approached by one of God's prophets, who told him a story. The story was of a rich man and his poor neighbor. The rich man had multitudes of everything he needed, and lacked nothing. The poor man had a little lamb. And every where the poor man went, the lamb was sure to go. He loved the lamb, like one of his children - it brought him great joy.
One day, the rich man had guests come for dinner. He was so selfish that he took the little lamb from the neighbor to feed his guests, instead of providing dinner from his surplus. At this, David cried out "That man deserves death!". God's prophet replied, "You are the man".
David knew immediately his sin; he knew he had sinned greatly against the Lord by coveting, taking and killing that which was not his. He confessed this to Nathan, and accepted God's punishment: the life of David's firstborn son.
Another story about David's less than perfect walk comes from to-days reading (2 Samuel 24). David the king decided to take a census of the people of his kingdom. This time, no prophet was needed to let David know he had sinned. He regretted immediately doing this, and confessed it to the Lord. The Lord then sent another prophet to let David choose his punishment (which ended up being quite severe again!).
What I see from these two stories is a sinner, not un-like you and me, who acknowledged his iniquity and who confessed his sin to almighty God. I believe God has given us this history lesson to show us that we need to do the same.
None of us are without sin. Yet I believe that our heart's attitude toward our sin is very important: are we repentant or are we stubborn to the point of making excuses and blaming circumstances, others, etc.?
David is referred to as man 'after God's own heart'.
A fornicator?
A murderer?
Yes.
He knew his sin, and he acknowledged it before God.
Let us pray for the grace to daily do the same.
Pax Christi
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Monday, February 3, 2014
Recipe #6 Super Bowl Chicken Dip
This was a hit yestreday; Peyton Manning's performance on the field notwithstanding.
2 5-oz cans of chicken
1 brick of cream cheese softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup of hot sauce
4 oz crumbled blue cheese
1/2 cup ranch dressing
3 garlic cloves minced
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine all ingredients and stir well. Pour into baking dish or bowl and cook for 30 minutes or until dip gets bubbly hot.
Serve with your favorite vegetables and crackers.
2 5-oz cans of chicken
1 brick of cream cheese softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup of hot sauce
4 oz crumbled blue cheese
1/2 cup ranch dressing
3 garlic cloves minced
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine all ingredients and stir well. Pour into baking dish or bowl and cook for 30 minutes or until dip gets bubbly hot.
Serve with your favorite vegetables and crackers.
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Recipe #57 - Wuthering Heights Chili
TCM is showing movies from 1939 - Hollywood's greatest year - and I'm watching Wuthering Heights, which I have not yet watched.
To-day's ingredients:
1.5 lb ground turkey
4 Jennie O turkey bratwursts boiled in beer and diced
4 2 oz beef round steaks, seasoned and cooked medium rare and sliced
2 small potatoes diced and boiled for about 5 - 7 minutes
1 turn of the pan extra virgin olive oil
1 green pepper diced
1 onion diced
3 cloves garlic minced
1 small can tomato sauce
1 can black beans
1 can red beans
1 can diced tomatoes with green chilis
3 diced roma tomotoes
2 sliced jalapenos
1/2 cup ketchup
2 tbs worcestershire
2 cans beer
1 tbs Dijon mustard
chili seasoning - oregano, garlic powder, chili powder, cayenne pepper, hot pepper flakes, cumin, paprika
Cook ground turkey, onion, green pepper, and garlic in your favourite pan until turkey is cooked through. Add seasoning and simmer for about 15 minutes.
In slow cooker, combine turkey, steak, sausage, potatoes, beans, tomatoes, jalapenos, ketchup, Worcestershire, beer, mustard, and tomato sauce. Cook on high for 4 hours and continue on low until you go to bed. Put leftovers in the fridge and bring it back out tomorrow!
Serve with sour cream, corn chips, or shredded cheddar.
Yum
To-day's ingredients:
1.5 lb ground turkey
4 Jennie O turkey bratwursts boiled in beer and diced
4 2 oz beef round steaks, seasoned and cooked medium rare and sliced
2 small potatoes diced and boiled for about 5 - 7 minutes
1 turn of the pan extra virgin olive oil
1 green pepper diced
1 onion diced
3 cloves garlic minced
1 small can tomato sauce
1 can black beans
1 can red beans
1 can diced tomatoes with green chilis
3 diced roma tomotoes
2 sliced jalapenos
1/2 cup ketchup
2 tbs worcestershire
2 cans beer
1 tbs Dijon mustard
chili seasoning - oregano, garlic powder, chili powder, cayenne pepper, hot pepper flakes, cumin, paprika
Cook ground turkey, onion, green pepper, and garlic in your favourite pan until turkey is cooked through. Add seasoning and simmer for about 15 minutes.
In slow cooker, combine turkey, steak, sausage, potatoes, beans, tomatoes, jalapenos, ketchup, Worcestershire, beer, mustard, and tomato sauce. Cook on high for 4 hours and continue on low until you go to bed. Put leftovers in the fridge and bring it back out tomorrow!
Serve with sour cream, corn chips, or shredded cheddar.
Yum
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Cinema
I watched the 1962 George Axelrod screenplay version of Richard Condon's novel The Manchurian Candidate last night for the first time.
I found it tough to follow toward the beginning, not having any idea of the plot, other than what our lame ass cable provider provided (which is typically vague and repetitive: "Starring Bruce Willis. Bruce Willis leads a cast of stars in this exciting action drama full of action and excitement.", or some other such non-informative tagline).
The picture is set during and after the Korean War, and tells the story of several US Army soldiers who have spent time being indoctrinated as POW's. Raymond Shaw plays the main character Laurence Harvey, who suffers severely from the effects of the brainwashing intermittently throughout the picture.
Frank Sinatra plays the character who ends up being the hero, even though he violently attacks an innocent American, thinking him one of the Korean enemies. Angela Lansbury does a convincing job portraying Harvey's domineering mother, intent on promoting her senator husband to the presidency whatever the cost.
I'm glad I watched this last night on TCM (unedited and without commercial interruptions!!), even though I don't usually voluntarily watch pictures from the 1950's or 60's, and even though there was enough violence for me to wish that I had watched it some other time (say, on a warm summer afternoon). As a thriller, this was pretty good.
I found it tough to follow toward the beginning, not having any idea of the plot, other than what our lame ass cable provider provided (which is typically vague and repetitive: "Starring Bruce Willis. Bruce Willis leads a cast of stars in this exciting action drama full of action and excitement.", or some other such non-informative tagline).
The picture is set during and after the Korean War, and tells the story of several US Army soldiers who have spent time being indoctrinated as POW's. Raymond Shaw plays the main character Laurence Harvey, who suffers severely from the effects of the brainwashing intermittently throughout the picture.
Frank Sinatra plays the character who ends up being the hero, even though he violently attacks an innocent American, thinking him one of the Korean enemies. Angela Lansbury does a convincing job portraying Harvey's domineering mother, intent on promoting her senator husband to the presidency whatever the cost.
I'm glad I watched this last night on TCM (unedited and without commercial interruptions!!), even though I don't usually voluntarily watch pictures from the 1950's or 60's, and even though there was enough violence for me to wish that I had watched it some other time (say, on a warm summer afternoon). As a thriller, this was pretty good.
Seasonal Silliness
Really, when it comes right down to it, at the end of the day, (the bottom line is:) the entire year can be broken down into two seasons.
I. Advent/Christmas - a time of preparation, anticipation and joy in the celebration of the Saviour's birth.
II. Countdown until pitchers and catchers report/pitchers and catchers report/spring training/162 game season/postseason/post postseason trade talk - a time of preparation, anticipation, evening barbecues listening to Dan Dickerson, late night heroics from Seattle, and much cursing (more or less, rather, depending on who you're rooting for).
So maybe I'm combining two non-mutually exclusive genres here, but my mind sometimes dabbles thusly. (I just had to add that word to the dictionary)
I. Advent/Christmas - a time of preparation, anticipation and joy in the celebration of the Saviour's birth.
II. Countdown until pitchers and catchers report/pitchers and catchers report/spring training/162 game season/postseason/post postseason trade talk - a time of preparation, anticipation, evening barbecues listening to Dan Dickerson, late night heroics from Seattle, and much cursing (more or less, rather, depending on who you're rooting for).
So maybe I'm combining two non-mutually exclusive genres here, but my mind sometimes dabbles thusly. (I just had to add that word to the dictionary)
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| Our sky as God's canvas this morning |
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| That deep teal color really caught my eye |
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Monday, January 27, 2014
Grandkids and Sunrises
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| Big sis & lil brothr ! |
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| My new hairdo! |
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| On my way to work last week I had to pull over, take a couple photos, and praise God! |
Thursday, January 23, 2014
This is the day, Judah
To-day is a good day.
I believe that statement with my whole heart. I believe it because I am able to think it (and type it); thus I have capacities to be thankful for, and it is a good day. It is a day in which I am able to think (and type), smile and scream, love and watch basketball, make phone calls and listen to the boss bark....and I am thankful.
I believe that statement with my whole heart. I believe it because I am able to think it (and type it); thus I have capacities to be thankful for, and it is a good day. It is a day in which I am able to think (and type), smile and scream, love and watch basketball, make phone calls and listen to the boss bark....and I am thankful.
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Pass It On
It only takes a spark
To get a fire going
And soon all those around
Can warm up in its glowing
That's how it is with God's love, once you experience it
You spread His love to everyone, You want to pass it on.
What a wondrous time is spring
When all the trees are budding
The birds begin to sing
The flowers start their blooming
That's how it is with God's love, once you experience it
You want to sing, it's fresh like spring, You want to pass it on.
I wish for you my friend
This happiness that I've found
You can depend on Him
It matters not where you're bound
I'll shout it from the mountaintop, I want the world to know
The LORD of love has come to me, I want to pass it on
I'll shout it from my little 'blog, I want the world to know
The LORD of love can come to you, then you can pass it on.
~Song by Kurt Kaiser
To get a fire going
And soon all those around
Can warm up in its glowing
That's how it is with God's love, once you experience it
You spread His love to everyone, You want to pass it on.
What a wondrous time is spring
When all the trees are budding
The birds begin to sing
The flowers start their blooming
That's how it is with God's love, once you experience it
You want to sing, it's fresh like spring, You want to pass it on.
I wish for you my friend
This happiness that I've found
You can depend on Him
It matters not where you're bound
I'll shout it from the mountaintop, I want the world to know
The LORD of love has come to me, I want to pass it on
I'll shout it from my little 'blog, I want the world to know
The LORD of love can come to you, then you can pass it on.
~Song by Kurt Kaiser
Friday, January 17, 2014
Morning Prayer
God of mercy, justice, and love
To You we commit this day, into Your care we commit our loved ones and all the people everywhere
We pray for Your Church, heal Her, keep Her straight and right, protect those in areas where there are violent people
For those cold this morning, warm them
For those hurting this morning, comfort them
For those mourning this morning, envelop them with hope
For those scared this morning, provide Your peace
For those unable to meet their obligations this morning, meet their needs
For those angry this morning, calm them
For those lost this morning, lead them to You
For all our family and friends, protect and keep them safe; bring them closer to You
For the men on LVCCM Weekend #81, open their hearts to Your message of love
For our pastors and elected officials everywhere, give them a love for You
For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world
Live and love through us this day
All praise and glory to You!
To You we commit this day, into Your care we commit our loved ones and all the people everywhere
We pray for Your Church, heal Her, keep Her straight and right, protect those in areas where there are violent people
For those cold this morning, warm them
For those hurting this morning, comfort them
For those mourning this morning, envelop them with hope
For those scared this morning, provide Your peace
For those unable to meet their obligations this morning, meet their needs
For those angry this morning, calm them
For those lost this morning, lead them to You
For all our family and friends, protect and keep them safe; bring them closer to You
For the men on LVCCM Weekend #81, open their hearts to Your message of love
For our pastors and elected officials everywhere, give them a love for You
For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world
Live and love through us this day
All praise and glory to You!
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Winter!!!
In mid-latitudes Great Lake America, the sun stays low, and she only stays out to play briefly.
Flannel sheets and a thick comforter, snuggle weather each night.
Start the truck early and let it warm up.
Once more Scrooge, It's a Wonderful Life
The deck railing lit, the Christmas tree has been removed there and still shines!
Snow storms and snow days. Plowing and scraping.
Fat birds rest on the thin leafless dappled willow branches; the fat cat watches with supreme attentiveness....
Warm fires at night with college basketball, a movie.
Birthdays with warm pies and warm laughter.
Wind chills and white bean chicken chili
Red pullover parka and red meat chili stew
Brooks chili with sour cream and chips!
Much of the autumn color has faded to shades of grey and brown; white everywhere!
Martin Luther King and the Presidents
Valentines and Epiphany
LVCCM Weekends, retreats, funding drives
No bugs
Christmas candy marked down, red boxed heart shaped candy fresh and ready to purchase
Winter
Cold
Frigid
Flannel sheets and a thick comforter, snuggle weather each night.
Start the truck early and let it warm up.
Once more Scrooge, It's a Wonderful Life
The deck railing lit, the Christmas tree has been removed there and still shines!
Snow storms and snow days. Plowing and scraping.
Fat birds rest on the thin leafless dappled willow branches; the fat cat watches with supreme attentiveness....
Warm fires at night with college basketball, a movie.
Birthdays with warm pies and warm laughter.
Wind chills and white bean chicken chili
Red pullover parka and red meat chili stew
Brooks chili with sour cream and chips!
Much of the autumn color has faded to shades of grey and brown; white everywhere!
Martin Luther King and the Presidents
Valentines and Epiphany
LVCCM Weekends, retreats, funding drives
No bugs
Christmas candy marked down, red boxed heart shaped candy fresh and ready to purchase
Winter
Cold
Frigid
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Thoughts
Should slapping the basketball court with both hands when your team is up and you just scored result in a technical foul?
I blended in a banana with my powdered nutritional drink and the blender left pea sized chunks of banana in my beverage
Watched enough of Our Vines Have Tender Grapes with Ed Robinson and Margaret O'Brien to know two things: I really want to watch the whole movie and we cannot possibly pray enough for each other.
Chaps Feed Store on 5 Mile and Middlebelt sells suet for the birds for $.89 a brick.
I already miss CHRISTmas music.
I wish I could spend $50 a month to watch just the sports and movies that I want to watch.
I absolutely loathe spending $85 a month to watch some things I want to watch broken up between endless mindless adverts.
MSU is ranked #4 and beating NU in Evanston. It's good to see Alex Gauna doing more on the court than get a defensive rebound. We play U of I (The Fighting Illini) Saturday night at 8.
I have not watched Duck Dynasty.
After work tonight, I
fed the dog, fed the cat, filled the water bowl, did the dishes, heated up a container of 'Mac & Cheese Lasagna' by Omaha Steaks, washed some clothes, retrieved the dog from down the block, heated up a container of 'spaghetti' from Big Lots, decided on a birthday present for my dad, put lotion on my legs, watched a little basketball, texted a few friends, took some meat out of the freezer for dinner tomorrow, confirmed the fact that I need to eat more apples, folded clothes, read my Bible, texted my sweetie good night.
Good night
I blended in a banana with my powdered nutritional drink and the blender left pea sized chunks of banana in my beverage
Watched enough of Our Vines Have Tender Grapes with Ed Robinson and Margaret O'Brien to know two things: I really want to watch the whole movie and we cannot possibly pray enough for each other.
Chaps Feed Store on 5 Mile and Middlebelt sells suet for the birds for $.89 a brick.
I already miss CHRISTmas music.
I wish I could spend $50 a month to watch just the sports and movies that I want to watch.
I absolutely loathe spending $85 a month to watch some things I want to watch broken up between endless mindless adverts.
MSU is ranked #4 and beating NU in Evanston. It's good to see Alex Gauna doing more on the court than get a defensive rebound. We play U of I (The Fighting Illini) Saturday night at 8.
I have not watched Duck Dynasty.
After work tonight, I
fed the dog, fed the cat, filled the water bowl, did the dishes, heated up a container of 'Mac & Cheese Lasagna' by Omaha Steaks, washed some clothes, retrieved the dog from down the block, heated up a container of 'spaghetti' from Big Lots, decided on a birthday present for my dad, put lotion on my legs, watched a little basketball, texted a few friends, took some meat out of the freezer for dinner tomorrow, confirmed the fact that I need to eat more apples, folded clothes, read my Bible, texted my sweetie good night.
Good night
Monday, January 13, 2014
Monday Morning
Dear LORD,
Thank You for a new day, a new week, and new warmer temperatures.
Thank You for getting me out of bed this morning, for my eyes to see your glorious sunrise, for my ears to hear the birds chattering, for my legs that walked me to take the garbage out.
Thank You for the Christ, for His time on earth, for His sacrifice for us.
Thank You for Your love, how it transforms, how it can tear down so much that is ugly.
Be with my bride as she is with her son and his family, let her be a blessing to them, let her enjoy the time with those beautiful grandbabies.
Let me shine Your love to every person I talk to, every person I see to-day; love through me, LORD!!
Praise be Your holy Name, praise be the God of Creation, the God of Love!
Praise and glory and honor to You LORD!!
Thank You for a new day, a new week, and new warmer temperatures.
Thank You for getting me out of bed this morning, for my eyes to see your glorious sunrise, for my ears to hear the birds chattering, for my legs that walked me to take the garbage out.
Thank You for the Christ, for His time on earth, for His sacrifice for us.
Thank You for Your love, how it transforms, how it can tear down so much that is ugly.
Be with my bride as she is with her son and his family, let her be a blessing to them, let her enjoy the time with those beautiful grandbabies.
Let me shine Your love to every person I talk to, every person I see to-day; love through me, LORD!!
Praise be Your holy Name, praise be the God of Creation, the God of Love!
Praise and glory and honor to You LORD!!
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Snow
Well, we got a dumping of powdery dry snow on the First; and this past Sunday's storm just added about 18 inches more to our piles. Piles and piles and piles with no where to put it! Piles at the corners of parking lots, piles next to driveways, piles on sidewalks. I broke two shovels moving piles and making piles! (Two shovels and one broom, but the broom I think was previously damaged a bit.) And with the temperature warming up to 0 Fahrenheit as I type, the piles may be around a while!
Our Spartans were victorious in the Rose Bowl over Stanford and in the Ugly Bowl last night over Ohio State. I will not comment further on that contest: suffice it to say there was a seven minute stretch (seven minutes of college basketball = about a half hour, my wife knows) where i used foul language - and i'm not talking duck hunting, boys.
But I digress...
The Grape still would not start this morning, in spite of us employing the boldest, baddest set of jumper cables imaginable. I was able to get to work but Moni still has errands to run before she leaves tomorrow for Wyoming. Hopefully to-day's warm up will encourage that troublesome vehicle to behave normally again...
Thank You, Father, for so many gifts and blessings
Thank You for family and friends and especially for Jesus
Thank You for love - the love that You taught us
Thank You for a warm home and running water
Forgive our whinings when things don't go our way
Guide and direct us; fill us with Your Spirit, Your Wisdom
And we love You, too
Amen
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| Snowpocalypse Inches of Piles |
Our Spartans were victorious in the Rose Bowl over Stanford and in the Ugly Bowl last night over Ohio State. I will not comment further on that contest: suffice it to say there was a seven minute stretch (seven minutes of college basketball = about a half hour, my wife knows) where i used foul language - and i'm not talking duck hunting, boys.
But I digress...
The Grape still would not start this morning, in spite of us employing the boldest, baddest set of jumper cables imaginable. I was able to get to work but Moni still has errands to run before she leaves tomorrow for Wyoming. Hopefully to-day's warm up will encourage that troublesome vehicle to behave normally again...
Thank You, Father, for so many gifts and blessings
Thank You for family and friends and especially for Jesus
Thank You for love - the love that You taught us
Thank You for a warm home and running water
Forgive our whinings when things don't go our way
Guide and direct us; fill us with Your Spirit, Your Wisdom
And we love You, too
Amen
Friday, January 3, 2014
Thankful for a warm bed, warm drive to work, and hot coffee
Eight below as I type here on a Friday morning in Brighton, Michigan; it went down to eleven below last night, according to our trusty deck thermo-meter.
Tuesday new years eve we tried to find New Years Eve to watch but it was not available...next year we will plan better.
Wednesday the First we drove to my parents and Moni went to see her parents and it was snowing the entire time and the going was slowwwwwwwwwww. PLUS, the Winter Classic Hockey Event Featuring the Wings vs. the Leafs was being played in Ann Arbor; traffic on M-14 was bumper to bumper at a standstill an hour and a half before the puck drop.
We did get home in time to make some potato salad and enjoy the Rose Bowl with a warm fire and our Omaha Steaks burgers. (And what a game it was!!!)
Thursday yestreday back to work and my beautiful bride had for us some meatballs and green been casserole ready to devour when i got home...smelled pretty darn good in there i tell you.
Friday to-day cold but the sun is shining and it's going to be a glorious day!!!
Can't remember the last time Christmas and New Years Day were both on Wednesday (when you teach, it doesn't really matter: you have two weeks off usually and go back to work on the 2nd or 3rd) and i'm not sure if i like the holiday right in the middle of the week or not. It did break up these last two work weeks somewhat though...
Eternal Father, thank You for this new day. Keep us from sin and every evil, that all our doings in life may please You. Comfort those who are hurting right now, LORD, bring Your peace to the distressed and wanting.
Amen
Tuesday new years eve we tried to find New Years Eve to watch but it was not available...next year we will plan better.
Wednesday the First we drove to my parents and Moni went to see her parents and it was snowing the entire time and the going was slowwwwwwwwwww. PLUS, the Winter Classic Hockey Event Featuring the Wings vs. the Leafs was being played in Ann Arbor; traffic on M-14 was bumper to bumper at a standstill an hour and a half before the puck drop.
We did get home in time to make some potato salad and enjoy the Rose Bowl with a warm fire and our Omaha Steaks burgers. (And what a game it was!!!)
Thursday yestreday back to work and my beautiful bride had for us some meatballs and green been casserole ready to devour when i got home...smelled pretty darn good in there i tell you.
Friday to-day cold but the sun is shining and it's going to be a glorious day!!!
Can't remember the last time Christmas and New Years Day were both on Wednesday (when you teach, it doesn't really matter: you have two weeks off usually and go back to work on the 2nd or 3rd) and i'm not sure if i like the holiday right in the middle of the week or not. It did break up these last two work weeks somewhat though...
Eternal Father, thank You for this new day. Keep us from sin and every evil, that all our doings in life may please You. Comfort those who are hurting right now, LORD, bring Your peace to the distressed and wanting.
Amen
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
At this festive time of year, Mr. Scrooge, it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the poor and destitute
Are there no prisons?
~Plenty of prisons.
And the Union workhouses - are they still in operation?
~They are. I wish I could say they were not.
Alastair Sim plays Ebenezer Scrooge in my absolute favorite version of Dickens' A Christmas Carol (actually titled just Scrooge in this London version). In the first scene at his office, Ebenezer is solicited by two gentlemen who are raising money for the poor. His questions, and the Collectors' retorts I have copied above. Scrooge, clearly irritated by the amount of time wasted in this conversation, continues by dismissing the gentlemen without donating anything.
Immediately, his nephew shows up to wish Uncle Scrooge a Merry Christmas - to which he replies most famously: 'Humbug!'.
Let us, on the eve of another turning of the calendar, pray that we are everyday less and less like Mr. Scrooge.
Let us pray that we are less and less focused on and driven by our own busy-ness.
Let us, as the ghost of Jacob Marley reminded Scrooge, make humanity our business.
Let us slow down, enjoy the scenery, smell the (insert your olfactory organ's most enjoyable aroma-producer here).
Let us whistle while we work.
Let us greet each other well.
Let us care - really care - about each others welfare.
Here's to new beginnings, new habits, new outlooks, and new adventures!
May your 2014 be most blessed in every way!!
Friday, December 27, 2013
LORD in Your mercy, hear our prayer
On Christmas Day, 2013, Pope Francis concluded his Urbi et Orbi with this beautiful prayer:
Lord of life, protect all who are persecuted for your name. Grant hope and consolation to the displaced and refugees, especially in the Horn of Africa and in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Grant that migrants in search of a dignified life may find acceptance and assistance. May tragedies like those we have witnessed this year, with so many deaths at Lampedusa, never occur again!
Child of Bethlehem, touch the hearts of all those engaged in human trafficking, that they may realize the gravity of this crime against humanity. Look upon the many children who are kidnapped, wounded and killed in armed conflicts, and all those who are robbed of their childhood and forced to become soldiers.
Lord of heaven and earth, look upon our planet, frequently exploited by human greed and rapacity. Help and protect all the victims of natural disasters, especially the beloved people of the Philippines, gravely affected by the recent typhoon.
Dear brothers and sisters, today, in this world, in this humanity, is born the Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. Let us pause before the Child of Bethlehem. Let us allow our hearts to be touched, let us not fear this. Let us not fear that our hearts be moved. We need this! Let us allow ourselves to be warmed by the tenderness of God; we need his caress. God’s caresses do not harm us. They give us peace and strength. We need his caresses. God is full of love: to him be praise and glory forever! God is peace: let us ask him to help us to be peacemakers each day, in our life, in our families, in our cities and nations, in the whole world. Let us allow ourselves to be moved by God’s goodness.
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
CHRISTmas
LORD, how can I even begin to put into words the joy, the wonder of What we celebrate to-day??
"When Thou tookest upon Thee to deliver man, Thou didst humble Thyself to be born of a virgin."
Praise to You forever, eternal praise; blessing, honor, and glory are Yours!
Glory be the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit! As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen!
Praise to Jesus, the God-man, the Son of God, Emmanuel, God-with-us!
Praise to the Christ-child of Bethlehem, our Redeemer!
Praise to Jesus, Who did not consider equality with God something to be grasped!
Praise to Jesus, born of the Virgin!
Praise to Jesus, because He will save His people from their sin!
Glory to God in the highest!
"When Thou tookest upon Thee to deliver man, Thou didst humble Thyself to be born of a virgin."
Praise to You forever, eternal praise; blessing, honor, and glory are Yours!
Glory be the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit! As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen!
Praise to Jesus, the God-man, the Son of God, Emmanuel, God-with-us!
Praise to the Christ-child of Bethlehem, our Redeemer!
Praise to Jesus, Who did not consider equality with God something to be grasped!
Praise to Jesus, born of the Virgin!
Praise to Jesus, because He will save His people from their sin!
Glory to God in the highest!
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Son-blest We Are
Thanksgiving Thursday with my mom and dad, brother, sister and her family, and lots of friends. Way too much food even though I tried to put a dent in as many mains/sides/desserts as I could. A little football on tv, a little football outside, Apples to Apples, and songs aplenty. Great to see everyone, especially my sister-with-many-children and my brother-who-lives-out-of-state. He even made a trip out in his BA black rental Dodge Charger with mom and dad on Friday.
Saturday yestreday was college football day and too many exciting games to also try and fit in a trip to Schaffer Road, Walmart, and the Lakehouse. We got home late and put in 1951 Scrooge with Alistair Sim and lit a fire to warm us.
To-day already we took our mechanic neighbor out to the Grape (left at Walmart) to help with the transmission that had been slipping. And then UH-OH, the nation's in upheaval; no tranny fluid and God saved us from evil! Two quarts in (one with the stop-leak additive) and the diagnostic touch pad screen thingy and voila!!! Praise God no more slipping or running rough!!! My neighbor Scott rocks - he wouldn't let me give him any money (we made him accept a little) but I did buy him a White Castle Double Cheeseburger Sack Value Meal (it just doesn't get much better than that).
So, right now I'm boiling eggs for our early week salad and Moni is taking several purchases back (with receipts) to various stores in Livingston County. We are Son-blest indeed!
Saturday yestreday was college football day and too many exciting games to also try and fit in a trip to Schaffer Road, Walmart, and the Lakehouse. We got home late and put in 1951 Scrooge with Alistair Sim and lit a fire to warm us.
To-day already we took our mechanic neighbor out to the Grape (left at Walmart) to help with the transmission that had been slipping. And then UH-OH, the nation's in upheaval; no tranny fluid and God saved us from evil! Two quarts in (one with the stop-leak additive) and the diagnostic touch pad screen thingy and voila!!! Praise God no more slipping or running rough!!! My neighbor Scott rocks - he wouldn't let me give him any money (we made him accept a little) but I did buy him a White Castle Double Cheeseburger Sack Value Meal (it just doesn't get much better than that).
So, right now I'm boiling eggs for our early week salad and Moni is taking several purchases back (with receipts) to various stores in Livingston County. We are Son-blest indeed!
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