I found this awesome site where I can listen to the Bible being read! It's Alexander Scourby (which I really like) reading... Although I checked James and he doesn't do the little "[quiet voice]James a sevant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, [really loud voice] TO THE TWELVE TRIBES WHICH ARE SCATTERED ABROAD IN ISRAEL." Hehe, ok only like Karen & Stuart would get that....
I was gonna buy the CD's (prob'ly still will), but for now I can listen to the Bible at my desk! I love it!
http://www.audio-bible.com/bible/bible.html
P.S. hazardously & elspeth, do you guys remember Dad waking us up to this? Romans? Proverbs? Ah, brings back memories.... Bad ones too - Day of Thy Power, nothing got us up faster!!!! LOL!!!! And the ever-loved Bridge Over the River Kwai March. How can you wake up in a bad mood to that?!?!?
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Notes from Daniel...
Ok, so 4 days ago I started reading in Daniel. It just seemed that I hadn't been there in a while and there was much riches of wisdom in that book. So that is my current Quiet Time reading... I also started a new journal, because I ran out every single piece of paper in my last one. I love starting new ones.
Here are thoughts from chapter 4... Not time now to add all the comments from Chapters 1-3.
v27 "Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity."
Daniel plead with the kind to repent and turn away from his pride, so the punishment wouldn't come. He didn't. After the punishment, this is the result:
v37"Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble."
Isn't that amazing? God's humbling puts us exactly where we should be.... we recognize our dependence on Him, that we are truly dependent on Him for every breath! I rejoice that I am dependent on His care!
Now, the Lord tells us to "humble yourselves" before the Lord, or under His mighty hand (James 4:10, I Peter 5:6). His humbling should come as a Last Resort. He wants us to do it. But trust me, when He does it, He does it completely!
Let us use this story to encourage us to humble ourselves, especially when God brings it to our attention, whether through a situation, a person, or a scripture.
Currently Memorizing: Sermon on the Mount!!! (Thank you Daddy & Noah for your examples!!!) up to 5:21! May I stay faithful!
Here are thoughts from chapter 4... Not time now to add all the comments from Chapters 1-3.
v27 "Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity."
Daniel plead with the kind to repent and turn away from his pride, so the punishment wouldn't come. He didn't. After the punishment, this is the result:
v37"Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble."
Isn't that amazing? God's humbling puts us exactly where we should be.... we recognize our dependence on Him, that we are truly dependent on Him for every breath! I rejoice that I am dependent on His care!
Now, the Lord tells us to "humble yourselves" before the Lord, or under His mighty hand (James 4:10, I Peter 5:6). His humbling should come as a Last Resort. He wants us to do it. But trust me, when He does it, He does it completely!
Let us use this story to encourage us to humble ourselves, especially when God brings it to our attention, whether through a situation, a person, or a scripture.
Currently Memorizing: Sermon on the Mount!!! (Thank you Daddy & Noah for your examples!!!) up to 5:21! May I stay faithful!
Friday, April 22, 2005
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Notes from Prov...
Proverbs contains such wisdom, I really should considering memorizing, like Roger Magnuson... Somehow I think I should finish the Sermon on the Mount, like Noah... or at least Romans 5-8, the basis of so much doctine.
"The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit.
Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established." Prov 16:1-3
Notice that we make plans, but the Lord gives us the answer, or what we are to say... And if we give Him our work, He establishes our plans. No need to worry or fret, but just a command to give to Him. To me personally, that means trusting, listening, and abiding by Biblically laid down principles.
And then there is the exhortation that no matter my way, the Lord is weighing my spirit. I may do "great" things or I may "fail" in the world's eyes, and even in my own, but the Lord is looking at my spirit... was I letting the Holy Spirit lead me? Was I loving Him with all my heart, soul and strength? That is what God will see. This makes me hunger more for God's Spirit to work in my life and lead me, shining his light into every area of my heart, where ungodliess and selfishness and every evil thing can be rooted out, one by one, so I can be spotless for Christ on That Day. Maranatha!
Lastly, v6, "By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil." No one will turn from evil really unless it's motivated by fear of the Lord. My turning from all sins should not be for reputation, fear of being caught, or even not wanting to hurt anyone. It should be fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom.
"The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit.
Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established." Prov 16:1-3
Notice that we make plans, but the Lord gives us the answer, or what we are to say... And if we give Him our work, He establishes our plans. No need to worry or fret, but just a command to give to Him. To me personally, that means trusting, listening, and abiding by Biblically laid down principles.
And then there is the exhortation that no matter my way, the Lord is weighing my spirit. I may do "great" things or I may "fail" in the world's eyes, and even in my own, but the Lord is looking at my spirit... was I letting the Holy Spirit lead me? Was I loving Him with all my heart, soul and strength? That is what God will see. This makes me hunger more for God's Spirit to work in my life and lead me, shining his light into every area of my heart, where ungodliess and selfishness and every evil thing can be rooted out, one by one, so I can be spotless for Christ on That Day. Maranatha!
Lastly, v6, "By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil." No one will turn from evil really unless it's motivated by fear of the Lord. My turning from all sins should not be for reputation, fear of being caught, or even not wanting to hurt anyone. It should be fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom.
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Weekend News, It's a Tuesday...
So, this weekend Jonathan and I had a wonderful, romantic adventure! I'll start with Thursday...
After school on Thursday, Jonathan and I were talking about what we were going to do for our anniversary (next weekend). We have wanted to visit Town Creek Indian Mounds, so decided we'd find a Bed & Breakfast around there & then go. We looked online and found out that this weekend (the 15/16th) there was a special live demonstration going on... including open-hearth cooking, flint knapping, archery, and story telling. So we spur-of-the-moment decided to head out this weekend. We found a nice B&B called the Cardinal Pines Inn, right in Mt. Gilead (not far from the mounds).
So, Friday after Jonathan finished school (at 1:00!) we headed out. It took me some time to pack (will it be cold, hot?), but we got out at 1:30. The directions said it would be 1 hr 45 mins, but we got there in 1 hour! The drive was lovely.... we passed through some really quaint towns and determined to stop on the way back up. We had the sunroof down, I had a Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper, and we were laughing and talking like the best friends we are! It's so awesome doing things together... We're always a little surprised at how much fun we have and one of us invariably says, "It's so great to marry your BEST FRIEND!"
So, since we arrived too early for checking in, we decided to tour the small town of Mt. Gilead. There was this cute little coffee/ice cream shop, but it was closed!!! So we wandered into an old-timey hardware store where we bought some kale & collard seeds for our garden, and some hot roasted peanuts. We also had a key made and the total was only $3!
Then we took our peanuts and found a bench. There was a slight breeze and lots of sunhsine! Afterwards we went to the inn and checking into the "honeymoon" room. We settled in, then at 4 there was a "Sherry/Port and Refreshments Reception" in the library. We enjoyed some hot coconut-chocolate macaroons, cheese and crackers, and grapes, with little cordials of the liqueur. Then we walked outside all around the property & took some pictures. (see pics)
That night we headed to Albemarle for dinner. We planned on trying a place called Pontiac, it looked kind-of Italian, but we heard it was good. We couldn't find it, but we saw a Pizza Hut and I kept going on and on about how I couldn't wait to try their Dippin' Sticks.... How maybe we could get some and watch a movie at midnight... So Jonathan said I could choose where we ate. We'd seen the Yadkin Valley Steak House and thought it looked good. So I chose that, knowing I could get Pizza Hut anytime. :)We pulled up to the Steak House and inside it was quite elegant. We got sat at a back table with little candles lit around. They had a special method of cooking called Stone Grilling, in which they heat up a slab of granite and sear all their meat on it. So it sears in all the juices. We got pepper-encrusted beef medallions with a caramel sauce.... It was out of this world!! The hot peppercorns contrasted with the sweet caramel was tantilizing! They served lots of black bread too. We enjoyed the meal so much, we didn't have room for dessert, so we ordered a chess pie to go. I still had two cups of terrific Yadkin Valley coffee. :)
Then we went back to our room and watched Notting Hill. It was cute, but the message rather dumb. Still, we had fun and then had the chess pie. We kept the fire running, because the house was large and a bit drafty.The next day we had a glorious breakfast in the sun room and headed out to the Town Creek Indian Mounds. We learned a lot about the Pee Dee Indians that used to live there, and then we got to watch a woman actually cooking just like they would have. One thing the indians did was get a large smooth soapstone from the river and then they'd place it over coals and cook on it... Jonathan is sure someone visited here and saw that, and then implemented it at the steakhouse. :)
So we had a great time and headed back. That night we took the Mustang on a drive so Jonathan could teach me how to really control it accelerating really fast.The rest of the weekend went fun too. Sunday Josh & Jennifer showed up and we had fun at church, at the mall (Starbucks), and hanging at our house. So the weekend was long and really fun. Jonathan and I loved that it seemed so long and really counted!
After school on Thursday, Jonathan and I were talking about what we were going to do for our anniversary (next weekend). We have wanted to visit Town Creek Indian Mounds, so decided we'd find a Bed & Breakfast around there & then go. We looked online and found out that this weekend (the 15/16th) there was a special live demonstration going on... including open-hearth cooking, flint knapping, archery, and story telling. So we spur-of-the-moment decided to head out this weekend. We found a nice B&B called the Cardinal Pines Inn, right in Mt. Gilead (not far from the mounds).
So, Friday after Jonathan finished school (at 1:00!) we headed out. It took me some time to pack (will it be cold, hot?), but we got out at 1:30. The directions said it would be 1 hr 45 mins, but we got there in 1 hour! The drive was lovely.... we passed through some really quaint towns and determined to stop on the way back up. We had the sunroof down, I had a Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper, and we were laughing and talking like the best friends we are! It's so awesome doing things together... We're always a little surprised at how much fun we have and one of us invariably says, "It's so great to marry your BEST FRIEND!"
So, since we arrived too early for checking in, we decided to tour the small town of Mt. Gilead. There was this cute little coffee/ice cream shop, but it was closed!!! So we wandered into an old-timey hardware store where we bought some kale & collard seeds for our garden, and some hot roasted peanuts. We also had a key made and the total was only $3!
Then we took our peanuts and found a bench. There was a slight breeze and lots of sunhsine! Afterwards we went to the inn and checking into the "honeymoon" room. We settled in, then at 4 there was a "Sherry/Port and Refreshments Reception" in the library. We enjoyed some hot coconut-chocolate macaroons, cheese and crackers, and grapes, with little cordials of the liqueur. Then we walked outside all around the property & took some pictures. (see pics)
That night we headed to Albemarle for dinner. We planned on trying a place called Pontiac, it looked kind-of Italian, but we heard it was good. We couldn't find it, but we saw a Pizza Hut and I kept going on and on about how I couldn't wait to try their Dippin' Sticks.... How maybe we could get some and watch a movie at midnight... So Jonathan said I could choose where we ate. We'd seen the Yadkin Valley Steak House and thought it looked good. So I chose that, knowing I could get Pizza Hut anytime. :)We pulled up to the Steak House and inside it was quite elegant. We got sat at a back table with little candles lit around. They had a special method of cooking called Stone Grilling, in which they heat up a slab of granite and sear all their meat on it. So it sears in all the juices. We got pepper-encrusted beef medallions with a caramel sauce.... It was out of this world!! The hot peppercorns contrasted with the sweet caramel was tantilizing! They served lots of black bread too. We enjoyed the meal so much, we didn't have room for dessert, so we ordered a chess pie to go. I still had two cups of terrific Yadkin Valley coffee. :)
Then we went back to our room and watched Notting Hill. It was cute, but the message rather dumb. Still, we had fun and then had the chess pie. We kept the fire running, because the house was large and a bit drafty.The next day we had a glorious breakfast in the sun room and headed out to the Town Creek Indian Mounds. We learned a lot about the Pee Dee Indians that used to live there, and then we got to watch a woman actually cooking just like they would have. One thing the indians did was get a large smooth soapstone from the river and then they'd place it over coals and cook on it... Jonathan is sure someone visited here and saw that, and then implemented it at the steakhouse. :)
So we had a great time and headed back. That night we took the Mustang on a drive so Jonathan could teach me how to really control it accelerating really fast.The rest of the weekend went fun too. Sunday Josh & Jennifer showed up and we had fun at church, at the mall (Starbucks), and hanging at our house. So the weekend was long and really fun. Jonathan and I loved that it seemed so long and really counted!
Thursday, April 14, 2005
First Entry Ever - Hello!
Due to Mary's encouragement, I have finally entered the world of blogging. I wondered if it had passed me by, I know friends who do and I am well aware that politically blogs are HUGE deals. I don't expect mine to become that, but it will be a place for my family foremost & friends to come read life's happenings. I'll try to keep posts fun, as no one needs their time wasted by superfluous banter read online.... at least not here.
So, I'll try to update at least once a week. When you're ready to read, grab a cup of good coffee, a cappuccino, or perhaps a demitasse of rich, crema-topped espresso, and see what's up around here.
So, I'll try to update at least once a week. When you're ready to read, grab a cup of good coffee, a cappuccino, or perhaps a demitasse of rich, crema-topped espresso, and see what's up around here.
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