Are you ever stunned at how people think and behave? Actions or spoken words that totally confound you?
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
News Flash
Did you figure out the feet yet??
They were at Sibley State Park last summer, sitting around the campfire with Gerald, Jennifer and Rocky. They are very small feet, approximately size 6. Always impeccably groomed and polished. On the opposite end of the body is a beautiful woman with big sparkling eyes and brown curly hair. My sister, Patty Anne!
They were at Sibley State Park last summer, sitting around the campfire with Gerald, Jennifer and Rocky. They are very small feet, approximately size 6. Always impeccably groomed and polished. On the opposite end of the body is a beautiful woman with big sparkling eyes and brown curly hair. My sister, Patty Anne!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Camping
It is again that time of year where some of us feel the necessity to leave the comfort of our homes and spend a time "in the woods". Have you ever given this some thought? A hundred years ago the settlers traveled and settled in unknown territories. They lived out of covered wagons, cooked outside, slept outside, took baths in the creek, hiked for miles and miles and had virtually no comforts of "home". If they could see what we do today..... purposely leave our homes and go to where we stay in tents or campers (no where close to a covered wagon), sit outside around the campfire all day, cook outside, fish for our dinner, go hiking, etc. The settlers would think we are downright nuts!
I have a "camping list" spreadsheet - go figure. I just printed it out and am going to begin checking to see what I need. I have to plan a menu, get the groceries, load the camper with all the food, blankets, pillows, clothes, and so on, drive 3 hours, spend an hour or so setting up the site, and then collapse in my chair around the fire. And then 48 hours later, repeat.
What am I seeking? ...... The sounds of birds, the smell of pines, the night creatures rustling, the campfire, the great food, and most of all solitude and peace. It is a place I "visit" that is a lot of work but truly worth it. I am just glad that I can go "home" after a couple days and take a hot shower and sit on my sofa with the remote.
I have a "camping list" spreadsheet - go figure. I just printed it out and am going to begin checking to see what I need. I have to plan a menu, get the groceries, load the camper with all the food, blankets, pillows, clothes, and so on, drive 3 hours, spend an hour or so setting up the site, and then collapse in my chair around the fire. And then 48 hours later, repeat.
What am I seeking? ...... The sounds of birds, the smell of pines, the night creatures rustling, the campfire, the great food, and most of all solitude and peace. It is a place I "visit" that is a lot of work but truly worth it. I am just glad that I can go "home" after a couple days and take a hot shower and sit on my sofa with the remote.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Miss Me???
Hi there,
After that last blog entry, I stepped back for a week or so and truly thought about blogging. I began to think of how personal this can be. Blogging can be used for a range of expression. I seem to write as I think and I think so deeply sometimes that my entries may be downright confusing. I have always said my mind is a great playground where so much can be learned and shared. I always try to share so that may be some person who needs a hug, or encouragement, or enlightenment, or insight will be touched. A great old church song has these words: "It only takes a spark to get a fire burning". I will continue to write as I believe God has me here for a reason. My prayer for you is that you will "hear" what God wants you to and discard the rest.
After that last blog entry, I stepped back for a week or so and truly thought about blogging. I began to think of how personal this can be. Blogging can be used for a range of expression. I seem to write as I think and I think so deeply sometimes that my entries may be downright confusing. I have always said my mind is a great playground where so much can be learned and shared. I always try to share so that may be some person who needs a hug, or encouragement, or enlightenment, or insight will be touched. A great old church song has these words: "It only takes a spark to get a fire burning". I will continue to write as I believe God has me here for a reason. My prayer for you is that you will "hear" what God wants you to and discard the rest.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Random Thoughts
Pride...
a subject that has been bouncing around my head this past week.
Proverbs 11:2 "When pride comes, then comes disgrace."
Proverbs 13:10 "Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice."
Proverbs 16:18 "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."
Proverbs 29:23 "A man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor."
a subject that has been bouncing around my head this past week.
Webster's Dictionary states the meaning to be: 1. Quality or state of being proud; specif.: a. Inordinate self-esteem; conceit. b. Lofty self-respect; a reasonable delight in one's position, achievements, possessions, etc. It also goes on to use words like: insolence; arrogance; disdain. The dictionary also references "Deadly Sins".
Proverbs 11:2 "When pride comes, then comes disgrace."
Proverbs 13:10 "Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice."
Proverbs 16:18 "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."
Proverbs 29:23 "A man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor."
I have been trying to figure out how pride works itself in my life. The thoughts I have become somewhat convoluted as the opposites (pride and humility) seem actually quite close in meaning. If you look at the person suffering from low self-esteem you may see the physical body-language of the depressed and you may sense a dullness in their spirit. Laughter and joy are far from them. If you look at the person who is full of pride, you may see a straight-up kinda "Joe". Head held high, shoulders puffed, and always a smile. Confident in their demeanor.
But......look again. The (I was stopped dead in my tracks right here as I was typing....)
Ah ha! The light bulb just went on as I was typing. I am confusing humility with low self-esteem and/or depression. There is a vast difference. Obviously pride has a negative connotation, as it takes away from God. It uses our own arrogant thoughts to place us in a position where we think we are better than those around us. I don't mean to do this, but I find myself doing this. It makes me mad - how dare I? When a Christian begins to slack-off on reading the Bible and praying the the mind will stray and you open yourself up to many actions whether physical, mental, social or emotional that are "hated" by God.
On the other hand, humility is allowing ourselves to stand tall and be confident always acknowledging that this is accomplished only by the Grace of God. Humility allows us to see everyone the way God sees them, as His beautiful creation. Each and every person is accountable to God, and I have no place in the judgment seat.
Jesus taught us in Matthew 7:3 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"
I will continue this journey during the coming week and pray that God will show me more of His wisdom. Please forgive me if I have hurt you while acting prideful.
Continually searching for wisdom,
Jennifer
But......look again. The (I was stopped dead in my tracks right here as I was typing....)
Ah ha! The light bulb just went on as I was typing. I am confusing humility with low self-esteem and/or depression. There is a vast difference. Obviously pride has a negative connotation, as it takes away from God. It uses our own arrogant thoughts to place us in a position where we think we are better than those around us. I don't mean to do this, but I find myself doing this. It makes me mad - how dare I? When a Christian begins to slack-off on reading the Bible and praying the the mind will stray and you open yourself up to many actions whether physical, mental, social or emotional that are "hated" by God.
On the other hand, humility is allowing ourselves to stand tall and be confident always acknowledging that this is accomplished only by the Grace of God. Humility allows us to see everyone the way God sees them, as His beautiful creation. Each and every person is accountable to God, and I have no place in the judgment seat.
Jesus taught us in Matthew 7:3 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"
I will continue this journey during the coming week and pray that God will show me more of His wisdom. Please forgive me if I have hurt you while acting prideful.
Continually searching for wisdom,
Jennifer
A Gift For You
I Got The Bug!
I spent all weekend outside playing in the dirt, cleaning up the yard and the best part was getting the camper popped up and checkin' her out. She survived the winter quite well, no unwelcome guests. Although, I was caught way off guard as I began to open up the beds. The "guest" bed was full of Rocky's hair. I got the shopvac and as I began to vacuum, a huge wave of sadness engulfed me and I broke down and cried. It was as though with each hair I vacuumed up, Rocky went further away. I miss him so much. I continued on for a while and then stopped for a drink. I called Gracie and she came near me as if she knew I was hurting. Her beautiful eyes brought comfort.After a bit more cleaning I made a little "lunch" for us. We sat in the camper and ate and talked. Sometimes people do goofy things, but hey, we had a good time. It won't be long now and we will be on the road!
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