Month: February 2011

Categories The Week in Words

WiW: Propitiation every morning

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The Week in Words

Propitiation.

We’ve forgotten what it means.

We’ve lost something big.

Wrath appeased.

Anger satisfied.

It’s not a concept to forget.

It’s something to be kept at the front of our minds.

“Let the laying hold of Christ as my propitiation be the unvarying initial act of every morning.”
~Thomas Chalmers (via Justin Taylor)

May I, every day, wrestle with the truth that Christ has borne the wrath of God in my place.

May I, every day, take hold of the truth that all that remains for me is God’s undiluted favor.

And may that truth inspire me to worship the righteous God.

“But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”
~Romans 3:21-26

May that truth inspire me to rely on this Christ in every temptation.

“Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.”
~Hebrews 2:17-18

May that truth inspire me to come to Christ each time I fall.

“My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.”
~I John 2:1-2

May that truth inspire me to love others.

“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
~I John 4:10-11

Don’t forget to take a look at Barbara H’s meme “The Week in Words”, where bloggers collect quotes they’ve read throughout the week.

Categories Memes

Honors and Pleasures

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I’m not always so great about picking up my blog awards and passing them along–but I figured I’d do that today in lieu of my usual meme.

Last month, I was delighted and honored to receive the “Stylish Blogger” award from Bobbi of Blogging Along.

And now, this week, Monica of Being a Titus 2 Woman has bestowed on me the Versatile Blogger award.

Versatile Blogger Award

Thank you to Bobbe and Monica both–it’s an honor and a pleasure to have you as readers (and online friends).

The “rules” for both awards state that I should list 7 random things about me and then award 15 other bloggers with the same awards–but I’m going to be somewhat of a rule-breaker and will tell you 7 non-random things about me and then award 7 other bloggers with the Stylish and Versatile blogger awards.

Non-Random Info about Me: Honors Received

  1. Today, I received the nicest thank you note from one of the girls who came to my tie-dye party. She thanked me for the party and said she can’t wait to do more stuff with me. (I agree, I can’t wait to do more with her!)
  2. I went in to work today to finish up some work, recognizing that I probably won’t have much time to get stuff done next week–and I found an e-mail from a coworker in my inbox. She was stressed, but she said she appreciated how much of a help I’ve been in the past several weeks. (I am glad to be of help.)
  3. One of the nurses at one of the facilities I consult with poked her head into my door yesterday, just to chat. We talked a bit about books and education–and then she told me “I’m sorry I’m taking so much of your time. It’s just that you’re so nice” (I don’t at all mind–and I so appreciate her kind words.)
  4. After Bible Study on Wednesday, my sister and I and another gal stuck around chatting with our Bible study leader and her son. We had a raucous time, with plenty of laughter all around–and as we were leaving, my Bible study leader said, “You guys are idiots…” and then qualified, “just like a part of the family.” (Oh how I enjoy being a part of your family.)
  5. I was fishing for compliments on Facebook on Tuesday–quoting a spam comment “You must be a genius” and begging a real person to tell me the same–when my Dad Facebook IM’d me. He told me I was smart, but that smarts weren’t everything. He quoted I Corinthians 8:1-3

    “Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.”

    and then told me “Bekah, you love God.” (I am so blessed to be known by God–and to have a Dad who reminds me of the true honor found in that.)

  6. This week, I was talking with someone–I don’t even remember who–and she passed on that she’d heard one of the uppers mention that she thought I was doing a great job. (It’s so nice to hear affirmation on the job–where I so often feel like I’m making unbearably slow progress.)
  7. Last week, one of the women I’m close to at church wrote me a note saying how much she appreciates me. She said she loves to have me as a part of her family–and looks forward to including me even more with her family. (I am so blessed an honored to have her and her family’s friendship.)

Now that I’ve got myself crying as I recall receiving so much (mostly unmerited) honor, it is my pleasure to bestow the small honors of the Stylish Blogger Award and the Versatile Blogger Award on 7 blogs I enjoy.

7 Stylish and Versatile Bloggers
Awarded alphabetically by first name rather than by order of importance.

  1. Barbara of Stray Thoughts
    Books, Christianity, and Everyday life. These might be Barbara’s “stray” thoughts, but I find them quite on point. Barbara’s writing challenges and encourages me.
  2. Carrie of Reading to Know
    Whether it’s a review of a children’s book at Reading my Library or a reflection on hospitality at Offering Hospitality or a rant on some book or another at Reading to Know, I love reading what Carrie writes.
  3. Davene of Spilled
    This lady is just plain special. She’s one of my earliest bloggie friends–and she’s a friend worth keeping. What’s more, her vignettes and reflections from life as a wife and mother are delightful (Check out her “Speaking of Love” theme from this month.)
  4. Jenna of Breath Captures Photography
    I’ve only been following Jenna for a couple of months, but I am majorly impressed with her beautiful photos–she is one talented teen.
  5. Jim of Jim’s Little Blog
    Not sure what Jim’ll think of the “Stylish” moniker–but I do love reading this transplanted Husker’s blog. He’s a regular participant in Flashback Fridays (with the advantage that he’s older than your average blogger and thus has more memories to share) and also writes some mean micro-fiction. What with all the life experiences he’s had (and still has), this man astounds me!
  6. Lisa of Lisa Notes
    Whether it’s a book review, a reflection on life, or a devotional thought, Lisa’s writing is pure poetry.
  7. Lori of Argyle and Apricots
    Her writing can be random, a bit here-a bit there. Miscellany. Deep thoughts and silly stuff. But it’s always interesting. I love it when a new post of hers pops up in my reader.

So there you have it. Honors bestowed that I’m pleased to pass along.

Categories Flashback Friday

Flashback: Toothsome Tales

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At Bible Study on Wednesday, we were asked to tell a funny story about ourselves. I couldn’t think of one, so I had everyone else go first. I still wasn’t any closer to coming up with a story when they got to me. Thankfully, my sister reminded me of the tooth story.

Which is what Linda’s asking us about today…

Flashback Friday buttonLinda asks… What are your dental memories of childhood? Who pulled your baby teeth and how was it done – with a tissue, string, or other method? Was it a traumatic experience or no big deal? Did you have to have any teeth pulled by the dentist? Did the tooth fairy visit your house? If so, how much did you get for each tooth and how long did that last? How old were you at your first dental visit? Did you go regularly? Did you have any/many cavities as a child? Was dental hygiene taught in school? Was flossing a big deal when you were growing up? …

Joshua without teethI was eight and my brother Joshua was seven. We were climbing on our “eagle’s nest” (big wooden swingset/fort structure) out back when Joshua got upset with me for some reason.

I have no idea now what provoked him to action–but once provoked, he bit.

Problem was, I was climbing slightly above him, so the nearest available bit was my shorts clad bottom!

He took a big bite–and there went his tooth!

We called me “buns of steel” for years after that.

Me without teethFor myself, my best tooth-losing memory was the time I literally lost a tooth.

I was riding my bicycle around the neighborhood, eating an apple, trolling along nicely–and once I got home, I realized that my once loose tooth was gone.

Which wasn’t a problem, except that the tooth fairy couldn’t leave a quarter in a glass of water in lieu of a tooth that wasn’t there.

I had to find that tooth!

I went over the neighborhood with a fine-toothed (hah!) comb–but I never did find that missing tooth.

Read more tooth stories at Mocha with Linda’s Flashback Friday Meme

Categories Thankful Thursday

Thankful Thursday: Time and Tasks

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It seems I never have enough time. It seems that my to do list never lacks tasks.

It would seem that there is a disconnect between the two–too many tasks, too little time.

Yet whatever tasks I put on my list and whatever time I plan to have, God divinely ordains both–and ordains them such that I have exactly the time I need to fulfill the tasks He has for me.

Thankful Thursday banner

This week I’m thankful…

…for an extra snatch of time to visit my folks in Lincoln this weekend–to see a movie together, to sit and chat, to eat with what family is still in Nebraska

…for a recipe for cobbler that just fit the time I had for it on Sunday morning

…for a delightful time of celebrating with my flock–just enjoying one another’s company at a potluck after church

…for early mornings at work and the extra productivity they bring

…for earlier returns home and the relaxation that brings

…for a reminder to bathe before Bible study last night

…for a riotous after-Bible-study discussion (which made me really glad I’d bathed before–we didn’t get home ’til midnight!)

…for early morning awakenings (I’m so grateful to have not overslept!)

…for ridiculously busy days at work and the grace I’m learning to extend to myself (Going home after ten hours even if all my work’s not done)

…for the anticipation of this weekend, when I’ll sit down with one of our elders and his wife to discuss doctrine and church membership

And I’m thankful again for the God who sovereignly directs both my tasks and my time, fitting each together to accomplish His divine plan.

Categories Reflections

Friction

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I adore Three Star Night’s fantastic web-comic format

I was contemplating friction on one of my commutes on perilously icy roads…

and I just knew I wanted to share it using TSN’s format:

You can move in a low-friction environment...but you can't steer. Friction makes movement purposeful.

Original Photograph: by treedork found on flickr under CC2.0 This work is released under the similar CC3.0 license.

In the interest of full disclosure, said incident (driving on icy roads) was last month. It’s been lovely weather here recently–and my commute has been smooth with just the right amount of friction to keep me safely on the road heading in the right direction.

I only recently made the time to find a photo to stick my reflections on–which is why you’re enjoying(?) this post in the midst of an unseasonably bright and sunny February (that is scheduled to end today, if I read my weather report right.)

Categories What's on Your Nightstand?

Nightstand (February 2011)

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I feel like I’ve slid comfortably back into my reading groove this month, probably because I’ve given myself permission to ignore the internet and cleaning. So, my house may be filthy and my Google Reader rather stuffed–but my Nightstand is still moving!

Crate of library books

This month, I made it through:

Anastasia Krupnik by Lois Lowry
Picked up while trolling the library for unfamiliar children’s fiction. Not sure exactly what I think of it. I wonder if Anastasia Krupnik, published in 1979, was the origin of brat literature for youngsters? It’s definitely not the “good kids get into scrapes because they forget/ignore the rules/common-sense while chasing a mystery” of the era prior (Think Boxcar children, Trixie Belden, etc.) Anastasia’s parents, a poet and an artist, are indulgently negligent; Anastasia is an only child, a precocious soul, and a brat. Hmmph.

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
I finished it only a few days late for that wrap-up post for Carrie’s L.M. Montgomery Reading challenge.

Baby Proof by Emily Giffin
Chick lit of a different sort. She’s got the guy. Finally found someone who agrees with her about not wanting kids. And then he decides he might just want a little one. And she divorces him. She is NOT going to have kids. Decentish on the chick-lit level, a step above Bridget Jones and Shopaholic, but still far from meaningful.

Bright-sided : how the relentless promotion of positive thinking has undermined America by Barbara Ehrenreich
Possibly the first book to ever merit zero stars in my highly subjective rating system. It could have been a good book, if Ehrenreich had kept her socio-political agenda out of it. But I think that’s one hope that I’ve just got to let die. She can’t do it.

Composting by Liz Ball
Yes. I read about composting. I compost in my backyard. I used to have composting worms under my sink. And I catch the humor in discussing a “hot pile” just a little too late to keep me from seriously explaining how the ratio of carbon to nitrogen effects the heat of said piles. I’m glad the Bible study gals (and John) are willing to accept me, quirks and all!

The Memory Keeper’s Daughter by Kim Edwards
You know those books that just suck you in and demand that you keep reading until all hours of the morning? The Memory Keeper’s Daughter is one of those. It’s all about how one choice changed a whole family, rippled out to affect whole communities. It’s a terrific story. This book originally went on my TBR list based on Colloquium’s review.

Warsaw Requiem and London Refrain by Bodie Thoene
My love affair with these books continues. It’s probably a good thing that I’ve forced some balance into my reading diet by giving myself a rubric for checking things out. Otherwise, I’m pretty sure I’d be reading these and only these until I’m through to the end!

Wasteland by Francesca Lia Block
Easily the weirdest book I’ve ever read. Written in first person stream of consciousness from three different characters perspective, this novel explores a brother and sister who struggle against a growing attraction for one another before, finally, the brother commits suicide. The plot is weird, the writing style is weird, the imagery within is weird. It’s just a weird book. Billed as YA, this is nothing I’ll be recommending to any of my “young adult” (read “teenage”) friends.

18 (at least) Children’s Picture Books author name BA-BASE
Unlike Carrie’s reading challenge, where she skips any books that aren’t at the library when she and her family goes, my challenge means I have to actually read EVERY book in my no-longer-local branch. So I’ve been playing catch up, filling in those missing books I didn’t read during my first pass.

Pile of books I'm in the middle of

With four weeks left on this last trip’s library haul, I’ve got a stack I’m in the middle of…

  • Confessions by St. Augustine
  • The factastic book of 1001 lists by Russell Ash
  • Now, Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham and Donald O. Clifton
  • The Liturgical Year by Joan Chittister and Phyllis Tickle
  • The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges
  • The Shallows by Nicholas Carr

And a stack in the wings for when I’m done with those!

Still to be read books

Don’t forget to drop by 5 Minutes 4 Books to see what others are reading this month!

What's on Your Nightstand?

Categories The Week in Words

WiW: The Bridge across the Chasm

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The Week in Words

A stone of stumbling.

A rock of offense.

The only way to God the Father
is through Jesus Christ the Son.

“I sought the way to get the strength to be able to enjoy You, but I did not find it until I embraced
the mediator between God and men,
The man Christ Jesus,
who is above all things, God forever blessed;
He who cries out and says,
I am the way and the truth and the life;
who mixes with flesh the food that I was to weak to receive–
for the Word became flesh
so that Your wisdom, through which you created all things
might nourish us in our infancy like milk.”

~St. Augustine Confessions

Augustine wanted Jesus to be just a man or simply God. Jesus as God incarnate, fully God and fully man, scared him.

Yet try as he might to bridge the chasm between he and God, Augustine found that the only sufficient bridge is Christ, the Incarnate Son of God.

“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no one come to the Father except by Me.”

~John 14:6

Don’t forget to take a look at Barbara H’s meme “The Week in Words”, where bloggers collect quotes they’ve read throughout the week.

Categories Memes

Now I know my A-B-C’s

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A
Annoyance:
Memes that ask about crushes

B
Brand of cell phone:
Samsung

C
Car:
Luci
a 1999 (I think) Subaru Legacy

D
Day or Night:
Those ephemeral moments in between, when the sun awakes from its sleep or prepares for its rest–and the rest of the world follows suit.

E
Eggs:
Fried crisp in massive amounts of fat, on top of of buttered whole wheat toast.

F
Favorite Month:
Not sure.

G
Graduated:
2003, 2007, and someday (?)

H
Height:
5’9″ or 5’10”

I
Ice Cream:
Butter Brickle (or Raspberry Cow Tracks with dark chocolate)

J
Job:
In-house dietitian for a long-term-care facility (and consultant for two other LTCs)

K
Kids:
Someday, should the Lord will
As many as He wills
Preferably more than five

L
Longest Car Ride:
Either to Monterrey, Mexico and Back
Or to London, Ontario via Chicago and back around the Great Lakes

M
Milk Flavor:
I don’t like flavored milk
unless it’s hot.
Then, I love any kind
Peach with almond.
Chocolate with mint.
Hazelnut and caramel.
Mmmmm….

N
Number of Siblings:
Six

O
One Wish:
That I would grow in the likeness of Christ.

P
Part of Your Appearance You Like Best:
I pretty much love my body.
Particularly my crooked nose
and my supraclavicular fossae
and my long arms
and… well, I won’t go into the rest right here

Q
Quote:
“My circumstances are not my life. Christ Jesus is my life.”

R
Reason to Smile:
The Prophet like Moses has come, and He I have heard
The Great High Priest has sacrificed, and in Him I am covered
The King reigns, and I am His subject

S
Shoe:
Hot pink faux patent leather flats

T
Time You Woke Up:
Six

U
Umbrella design/Color:
Black with white fleur-de-lis

V
Vegetable You Hate:
I do not hate vegetables.
I love food.

W
Worst Habits:
Relying on myself.

X
X-Rays:
Teeth
Clavicle
Humerus and Ulna
Broken or carious.
Sad days.

Y
Year You Were Born:
The year after Anna
and before Joshua

Z
Zzzzz What time do you go to bed?:
Way too late.

Categories Thankful Thursday

Thankful Thursday: New and improved same old, same old

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Producers are always eager to have buyers purchase the “new and improved” version of everything they see.

And some buyers are eager to get every “new and improved” version.

Others are more nostalgic, constantly longing for the “same old, same old”–and resisting new innovations whenever they come.

I prefer to grasp tight to the nostalgic past, reach towards the ever expanding future–and keep my feet firmly planted in today.

Thankful Thursday banner

This week I’m thankful…

…for the new and improved DVD player that showed up on my doorstep this morning. (I installed it this evening–and now, for the first time in quite a while, I can actually watch a DVD on my computer if I want to.)

…for the new and improved work schedule I’ve created for myself. (I get my work done so much better if I go into the office early, before others arrive. Now I just need to leave at a corresponding time instead of just staying ten or more hours.)

…for the new and improved book Now, Discover Your Strengths that my boss bought me (and the rest of her direct reports. Many people might be less than excited to have reading assigned them from a boss. I’m ecstatic.)

…for the same old same old Bible that I’ve been reading since my trip to Sweden in 2003. (It’s worn, it’s torn, it’s been dropped in the toilet–but it’s also got my notes, my underlinings, and memories of the peaks and the valleys God’s brought me through.)

…for the same old same old routines that make dealing with the less-routine parts of work life less bothersome (It’s amazing how routines impose their own calm amidst turmoil.)

…for the same old same old computer that I’ve been using since I started college–that hasn’t yet given up the ghost.

Most of all, I’m thankful for the One who is the same yesterday, today, and forever–but Who is so immense, so unfathomable that my knowledge of Him can be new and improved every day!

Categories Reflections

Who has time?

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“Who has time?” Lisa asks about a couple who kissed for 46 hours.

I ask myself the same question when people talk about, well, just about anything these days.

“Who has time?”

Certainly not I.

I don’t have time to clean my house. I don’t have time to watch a movie. I don’t have time to do the projects I love. I don’t have time to read the books I so enjoy.

My work manages to take up as much time as I allow it, and I find that I might be a bit of a work-a-holic.

If I were an hourly employee, I wouldn’t have been able to come to work today because I’d already have exceeded my 40 hours in the week (Our pay periods end on Wednesdays.)

But I’m not an hourly employee–and I had some prep to do for a meeting at 10:30, so I was at work at 7 this morning.

Ten and a half hours later, I slung my bag onto my shoulder and left work.

Who has time?

Certainly not me.

I intended to only work 8 hours today.

I knew I had to be early. I knew I had to stay late. I planned on taking a couple hours out of the middle.

I realized my plans for long lunch were futile when I’d barely made a dent in my list of people to chart on by the time lunch rolled around–and I still had two meetings to attend in the afternoon.

Who has time?

Not me. Not two hours, definitely.

But I decided that even though I didn’t have time, I’d take some time today.

Usually when I go to work, I work from the moment I get there to the moment I leave at night. I eat at my desk while looking over weights or brainstorming new systems or talking over some detail with my dietary manager.

But today, I looked at my schedule and decided I’d make time.

I’d make what time I had.

I jaunted out to my car, put on my socks and tennies, and went for a walk.

I wandered the neighborhood. I found a road that took me to a corn field through which I could see my church (but that unfortunately did not go through, though that had been my original aim). I waved my hand and toodled a cheery hello to an old man out raking his lawn.

I returned to my desk refreshed, rejuvenated, alive.

I didn’t have the time. My list for tomorrow may be longer for having taken a half hour to walk today.

But my heart is lighter, my step springier, my life more blessed and more willing to bless.

I may not HAVE the time.

But I’m discovering that I HAVE to MAKE the time.

There’s not enough time to not take time for what’s important.

Make the time.

Make the most of the moments you have.

And head over to Lisa Notes… to read the reflection that inspired my reflections.