tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9974599665948994372024-03-12T19:27:03.077-07:00Think Like a Mad Genius"Instead of seeing what they want you to see, you gotta open your brain to the possibilities!"
-BumiAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959370108225584185noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997459966594899437.post-19057393958325341422013-01-22T08:23:00.001-08:002013-01-22T08:23:13.575-08:0064, 65, 66<b>A gift wrinkled, smoothed, unfolded:</b><br />
<br />
A newborn baby. (thinking about Gracie, and how the time flies!)<br />
<br />
Laela's fur as I pet her.<br />
<br />
A letter from a friend. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959370108225584185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997459966594899437.post-13488584428941057572013-01-21T18:02:00.001-08:002013-01-21T18:02:43.984-08:0061, 62, 63<b>A gift in sky, water, memory:</b><br />
<br />
The enchanting variety of birds flying about.<br />
<br />
My little fishy swimming round.<br />
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My grandma and great-grandma. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959370108225584185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997459966594899437.post-61772326141765300332013-01-20T12:11:00.002-08:002013-01-20T12:11:30.191-08:0058, 59, 60<b>3 gifts only seen close up:</b><br />
<br />
The textured color of someone's eyes.<br />
<br />
The details of a chickens feathers.<br />
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The intricacy of emotion. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959370108225584185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997459966594899437.post-77813539773509343602013-01-19T21:21:00.003-08:002013-01-19T21:21:17.639-08:0034 thru 57 or: Catching Up<b>Something above, below, beside:</b><br />
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The glow of the moon.<br />
<br />
My cozy bed.<br />
<br />
My dog, Laela<br />
<br />
<b>3 things about yourself you are grateful for:</b><br />
<br />
Understanding, compassion, blue eyes.<br />
<br />
<b>3 startling graces of God:</b><br />
<br />
His forgiveness and grace,<br />
<br />
This life of opportunities,<br />
<br />
The miracle of life.<span style="font-size: x-small;"> I am always amazed at how things grow from practically nothing. </span><br />
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<b>A gift worn, given away, shared:</b><br />
<br />
A 'prayer bracelet', a book, friendship and a meal.<br />
<br />
<b>3 witnessed blessings:</b><br />
<br />
My mother preparing meals for the family, my step-dad working hard out in the cold after working all night, a woman surrounded by family as she passed away. <br />
<br />
<b>A gift bringing laughter, prayer, quiet:</b><br />
<br />
A story of silly events, a difficult friendship, the night.<br />
<br />
<b>3 gifts from God's word:</b><br />
<br />
Hope, guidance and encouragement.<br />
<br />
<b>3 gifts that might never have been:</b><br />
<br />
My friendship with Liz <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(I mean really, we were meant to be friends, that is the only way we both happened to have been in the right place to meet)</span>, the closeness and friendship between my family, the healing and restoration I have <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(and continue to have)</span> in my life.<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959370108225584185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997459966594899437.post-9306743988640056822013-01-11T19:25:00.005-08:002013-01-11T19:25:48.978-08:0031, 32, 33<b>Three yellow gifts of fresh mercy:</b><br />
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Daffodils poking up through the hard cold of early spring, I love daffodils!<br />
<br />
Juicy flesh of mango. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(I know, it is a little orange)</span><br />
<br />
Sunny flash of goldfinch flying. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959370108225584185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997459966594899437.post-29395526781200898562013-01-10T21:38:00.001-08:002013-01-10T21:42:20.767-08:0028, 29, 30<b>A gift sweet, sour, just right:</b><br />
<br />
The scent of lilacs in spring <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(I closed my eyes to contemplate sweet, and this just flooded my mind :) )</span><br />
<br />
Mom's home made pickles <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(They are the best! Yummy!)</span><br />
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Settling into bed at the end of the day <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(This is where I am going now...goodnight!)</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959370108225584185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997459966594899437.post-18926479427272238552013-01-09T21:35:00.000-08:002013-01-09T21:35:53.676-08:0025, 26, 27<b>A gift held, passed by, sat with:</b><br />
<br />
Beautiful memories<br />
<br />
A shelf of tokens, reminders of friendship<br />
<br />
FamilyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959370108225584185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997459966594899437.post-58443672216344787392013-01-09T08:21:00.004-08:002013-01-09T08:21:35.568-08:0022, 23, 24<b>Dusky light, surprising reflection, lovely shadow:</b><br />
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Dusky light of heaven shining through my tears as I hold the hand of a dying woman.<br />
<br />
Surprising reflection of youth in two old ladies visiting.<br />
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Sun shining brightly casting lovely shadows across the room through the lace curtains. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959370108225584185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997459966594899437.post-14673474290601254692013-01-07T21:42:00.003-08:002013-01-07T21:44:17.693-08:0019, 20, 21<b>Three graces from people you love:</b><br />
<br />
Hearing Samuel pray <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Dear Father God...)</span><br />
<br />
GPC <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Genuine Personal Correspondence)</span> from a freind<br />
<br />
Hearing "I am proud of you", "You are special", and "I love you" <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(even though I usually do not feel worth it)</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959370108225584185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997459966594899437.post-56201293146328462182013-01-06T19:03:00.003-08:002013-01-06T19:09:10.242-08:00Ambitious<br />
I am going to attempt to accomplish a challenging <span style="font-size: xx-small;">for me</span> Bible memory project this year: The Romans Project.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2x2sshABXdFZIZAAc0iuaDAPvLX2acTNhGE4ri8Pnx7lUm_TUhc1bG1JqNa7LrC5AZPVYCLqsgAOhrrzungcSdorGEPweMmMtSSZCQYyjXFP2mYGNXps-R8PO7ZhXk7VfkKlnWYVdW13P/s1600/DSC03557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2x2sshABXdFZIZAAc0iuaDAPvLX2acTNhGE4ri8Pnx7lUm_TUhc1bG1JqNa7LrC5AZPVYCLqsgAOhrrzungcSdorGEPweMmMtSSZCQYyjXFP2mYGNXps-R8PO7ZhXk7VfkKlnWYVdW13P/s320/DSC03557.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Check it out here: http://www.aholyexperience.com/2013/01/the-1-habit-god-really-wants-for-your-new-year/<br />
<br />
Download your own copy <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(free)</span> here: https://s3.amazonaws.com/a.voskamp/BlogFiles/RomansOneEightTwelve.pdf<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFM4Zpn__wl4EVQIOAi-mKJYF1B4VsO8BcVRSOVKzFztGGgW4bw_grjxc25Sf2eu9jgA4B0SmyYBN5GBnpMM0q4VOY3dGT-29b5Kwmc7AhtxjRk3FIJaF9gkc2XOZdqjRhj2_C-qSlH-33/s1600/DSC03558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFM4Zpn__wl4EVQIOAi-mKJYF1B4VsO8BcVRSOVKzFztGGgW4bw_grjxc25Sf2eu9jgA4B0SmyYBN5GBnpMM0q4VOY3dGT-29b5Kwmc7AhtxjRk3FIJaF9gkc2XOZdqjRhj2_C-qSlH-33/s320/DSC03558.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I pray that this project will draw me deeper into the Word and closer to the Lord. Will you join me?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959370108225584185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997459966594899437.post-65223539597185694302013-01-06T18:36:00.002-08:002013-01-06T18:36:14.376-08:0016, 17, 18<b>One thing in you bag, your fridge, your heart:</b><br />
<br />
Kindle<br />
<br />
Bonbons <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(with this deliciously easy recipe:http://www.deeprootsathome.com/best-ever-homemade-chocolate-bonbons-actually-good-for-you/)</span><br />
<br />
HopeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959370108225584185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997459966594899437.post-21794621336051111292013-01-06T18:28:00.003-08:002013-01-06T18:36:40.464-08:0013, 14, 15<b>Something you're reading, making, seeing:</b><br />
<br />
I am reading <u>The Dog Who Talked to God</u><br />
<br />
I am making plans for fun crafts<br />
<br />
I am seeing my family around me Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959370108225584185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997459966594899437.post-26657693836667681032013-01-04T19:05:00.001-08:002013-01-05T08:24:39.341-08:0010,11,12<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b>A gift old, new and blue:</b><br />
<br />
My great new owl hat, my Grandfather, <br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCOCzgzpC6Ihyphenhyphen6AVeXaf4cMdDu2-r8wpEOP_q3lHUmbXG34XO87GbWj_GM3YRF_jaoTeeSWC8A2dA9ERq7a8J0KJsLdPIjn6jmlpIOSnDafXLFRp6UvfUubtWz6DlK3fz8gUZbDcb4bjs/s1600/DSC03504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCOCzgzpC6Ihyphenhyphen6AVeXaf4cMdDu2-r8wpEOP_q3lHUmbXG34XO87GbWj_GM3YRF_jaoTeeSWC8A2dA9ERq7a8J0KJsLdPIjn6jmlpIOSnDafXLFRp6UvfUubtWz6DlK3fz8gUZbDcb4bjs/s320/DSC03504.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The clear, blue sky today<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1iNFquiifFJK_YyFWHrQQmpqiumqAcTYMvumHpu0HRVJq_8qt7aPLYUJ-YNhziAVqjb3TsD1EwEaYfN1ouYuals8o3U0xCQtO-xEmW3sm1fps18RX5N_JHB3TJpxOLZJ9fqZ-vqJIzpgL/s1600/DSC03486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1iNFquiifFJK_YyFWHrQQmpqiumqAcTYMvumHpu0HRVJq_8qt7aPLYUJ-YNhziAVqjb3TsD1EwEaYfN1ouYuals8o3U0xCQtO-xEmW3sm1fps18RX5N_JHB3TJpxOLZJ9fqZ-vqJIzpgL/s320/DSC03486.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959370108225584185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997459966594899437.post-11586468964525167092013-01-03T21:33:00.003-08:002013-01-03T21:33:38.987-08:007,8,9<b>Three graces overheard:</b> <br />
<br />
Toddlers reading to eachother.<br />
<br />
Tiny snores as I snuggle with Gracie.<br />
<br />
A mother praying for her son. <br />
<br />
What beautiful things did YOU hear today?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959370108225584185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997459966594899437.post-29648958634456107162013-01-02T16:45:00.001-08:002013-01-02T16:45:41.238-08:004,5,6<b>A gift outside, inside, and on a plate:</b><br />
<br />
The beauty of our homestead<b>. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Warmth and family.<br />
<br />
Bountiful provisions. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">also known as 'stir-fry' tonight!</span><br />
<br />
<b>What are YOUR gifts today? </b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959370108225584185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997459966594899437.post-8021249805647310372013-01-02T16:34:00.005-08:002013-01-02T16:34:58.692-08:001,2,3I am going to try to follow Ann Voskamps 1000 gifts Joy Dare. http://www.aholyexperience.com/joy-dares/<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">I think it will be helpful to have a list to follow for days I do not feel blessed or thankful... </span><br />
<br />
<b>Three things heard: </b><br />
<br />
The voice of a loved one. <br />
<br />
Bare trees creaking as they sway in the breeze.<br />
<br />
Whispers of book pages turning. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959370108225584185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997459966594899437.post-34566884732388914092013-01-02T16:10:00.001-08:002013-01-02T16:14:21.368-08:00ChangingChanging is an interesting thing. There are so many things that can be changed, so few elements of life are fixed. Some things just take a little more stick-to-it-iveness. Like the difference between changing your mind and changing your habits. I have made some decisions to change a few things in my life <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(oddly enough, these are not inspired by the new year. The timing is merely coincidence.)</span>, but now I need to effectively implement these changes. Often I become mired in my shortcomings and failures. It is crippling. Very. So, I think one of the things to actively change first is my view. I am going to try something, thanks to the inspiration of Ann Voskamp. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(another odd fact is that I was reading her book <u>One Thousand Gifts</u> quite some time ago, and did not even realize she was, like, famous, or at lea<span style="font-size: xx-small;">st very well known</span>... I tend to do that...)</span> I am going to record my blessings. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">I am going to try her 1,000</span>. To help me gain perspective. I am greatly blessed. And always have been.<span style="font-size: x-small;"> I was reminded of this earlier this day as I flipped through photo albums before putting them back where they live throughout the year, except for Christmas, when we rearrange everything to <span style="font-size: x-small;">accommodate</span> the decorations. </span><br />
<br />
Here it goes! <span style="font-size: xx-small;">This will be more for me than anything, especially since I am sure I have lost my miniscule following due to lack of posts...</span> <br />
<br />
What are YOU trying to change?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959370108225584185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997459966594899437.post-77419350151878913772012-09-04T18:22:00.003-07:002012-09-05T12:40:37.689-07:00Self Worth: A View of Others<span style="font-size:100%;">The difficulty I face is that I do not have an 'across the board' sort of standard. I rate others in a very different manner than myself.</span><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span> </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I have no questions about the worth of others. I find value in all people. I really cannot bring to mind a time that I thought "That person is worthless." I have met many struggling, hurting, lost, and confused people. People with undesirable traits, people who have made wrong choices, people who are so mired in their own mess that hope has been abandoned. I know them, because I have been there with them. Even so, I see potential. I feel their pain, know they have a soul, understand they are searching </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:130%;">(many in the dark with no light to speak of)</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:130%;">. Every person has worth. They are worthy of time, help, consideration, and above all love. Seeing people who are scorned and mocked gives me great sadness. I feel pain for people who fight themselves, who inflict pain on their own selves.<br /><br />We are living in an incredibly shallow time, particularly in this nation. The worth of an individual is often determined and rated according to their job, the total in their bank account, the clothing they wear, the pastimes they participate in, past actions, or simply the way they walk, talk and interact. This is so sad. Many people are written off, given very little interest or time, or even mocked and incorrectly judged due to these insignificant characteristics. Many first hand scenarios jump to mind.<br /><br />My motivation is not to be able to accurately identify all the ways and reasons a person's self worth may be warped, skewed or destroyed. I simply wish to encourage everyone to look upon others with kindness and compassion, and seek out ways to edify the people in your life. We all have the opportunity to live lives of love, grace, and dignity, and to stand up for those who are over looked and forgotten. I pray that I will have strength and the courage of my convictions to reach out to the people I meet. Will you?<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">I apologize for the randomness present in this post, I had an overflow of things to say, but a desire to be concise.</span><br /></span></span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959370108225584185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997459966594899437.post-5502924738888994962012-09-02T19:28:00.005-07:002012-09-02T19:47:34.037-07:00Self Worth: A ThemeI have encountered a theme in my life as of late. The theme: the search to understand and grasp the true meaning and realization of self worth. This is confusing and difficult for me.<br /><br />A while back I was penning my ruminations on the topic. I initially posed the question: What gives a person worth? I wonder how people are rated, if you will. What process does the average person go through to determine the value of any other given individual? Or their own self?<br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">More recently I felt led to </span><span style="font-size:100%;">relisten to Malcolm Smith teaching about The Search for Self Worth. This is an incredible seminar recording that I obtained during a program called The Journey.<br /><br />Then this morning the sermon at church was entitled: The Worth of a Person.<br /></span><br />I think Someone may be trying to tell me something. Praying to keep an open heart and vigilant mind.<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959370108225584185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997459966594899437.post-49932539652992647742012-09-01T19:44:00.002-07:002012-09-01T19:55:03.253-07:00To Everything...Seasons are changing. Seasons around me. Seasons within me. With varied paces the seasons pass by, bringing opportunities and challenges alike. With renewed anticipation I plan to prepare for the floods of blessings, be they blatant or in disguise, that await on the horizon.<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959370108225584185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997459966594899437.post-79357465896732727872012-01-23T10:37:00.000-08:002012-01-24T20:50:36.985-08:00Thoughts on Words: A Series (maybe)<span style="font-size: small;">Words can do many things. They can build, and destroy. Words can be spoken out of love or hate. They can be accepted with pleasure or bitterness. I have been pondering the innumerable and endless ways word are offered and received. The following thoughts are on how we can receive and sort through the things people say to us. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The ties to family, be them positive or negative, usually mean that their words bear a heavier weight than words from friends or acquaintances. We tend to take what our family says with us, even if it hurts. Even if it is harmful. Even if it is degrading and scornful.</span> Sometimes words are meant to inflict injury, and others cause pain unintentionally. I want to suggest something: perhaps it is not all about how the words were intended. Some relationships are what they are, and they may never change. I think that, even in a wary or resented relationship, we can glean the positive, and discard the waste. Do not concern yourself with others thoughts on you, your life, your choices. They may say hurtful things, trying to prod you in the direction of a path they think you should take. Throw away the hurt. Try to gather an edifying morsel from the words. If someone tells you that you should be doing something 'better' with your life, yet you know you are in the best place for the time, rest in the peace that you are where you should be and that you contain amazing potential that others can easily see. You are where you belong. Relish what you have, even if is little. If you are using what you have to honor God, you are a pleasing offering in His eyes; and His are the only eyes that matter. <br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">This may be an extremely cheesy analogy, but:</span> Be like the sword of Gryffindor. In Harry Potter, the sword of Gryffindor is a magical goblin made weapon. It is, as far as anyone can tell, indestructible and uncontainable. The sword may be in one place then vanish, only to turn up where it is most needed. The quality I most admired about it is that it <i>'only takes in that which makes it stronger.' </i>The sword may be wielded against anything, but when it comes into contact with a quality that would cause it to have a wider, more useful application, it absorbs that ability. Try to apply that concept, consciously make an effort to take in that which will make you stronger, and make peace with and walk away from the rest.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I am trying to apply this practice in my own life, and felt like it may be encouraging to someone else as well. I hope so. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997459966594899437.post-44242485461563896282012-01-03T12:11:00.000-08:002012-01-03T12:37:26.383-08:00A Look AgainA life apart, in the midst of life<br />A conversation alone. with friends.<br /><br />Routine continues, everything disrupted.<br />Plans, formed dreams.<br />Nothing accomplished.<br />All continues.<br /><br />Fantastical escape,<br />peace and excitement.<br />Clinging to the night as dawn approaches.<br /><br />To savor, or abandon?<br />Accept or destroy?<br />Make peace, continue.<br />Attempting, stand by.<br /><br />Foolish wishing,<br />wisdom wanting,<br />seeking amendments and joy.<br /><br />Patience waning, growing<br />mirrored by hope.<br />Desire, like phoenix<br />extinguished, reborn.<br /><br />Bane of existence,<br />yearned for in deep.<br />Delighted by prospect,<br />clouded by sleep.<br /><br />Lost? Even true?<br />Blessings will come.<br />Hope grasping, remains.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997459966594899437.post-70724889184953364382012-01-01T08:04:00.000-08:002012-01-01T09:45:18.608-08:00Wonderings from the WordI am no scholar. I have no answers. In fact, I accumulate more questions on a daily basis. I look around for answers, yet they elude me as collect additional wonderings. So here for your enjoyment are this mornings wonderings from the Word!<br /><br />Genesis offers us many family trees. As I wandered around in these woods, I met Enoch. Genesis 5:21-24 tells us about Enoch: <span style="font-style: italic;">When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. And after he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch <span style="font-weight: bold;">walked with God</span> 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enoch lived <span style="font-weight: bold;">365</span> years. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away. </span></span><br />I find these verses intriguing for a couple of reasons. One of them is the fact that he lived to be 365 years old. That is a long time, yet only a fraction of the years the other men listed lived. A sampling of the general ages in the surrounding passages are as follows: 930, 912, 905, 910, 895, 962, 969, and777. Interesting. Why did these other men live so much longer than Enoch? The second point which caught my attention was the statements about Enoch's walk with the Lord. Where the other men "lived" <span style="font-style: italic;">X</span> amount of years, Enoch is said to have 'walked with God'. The other men simply "died" at the end of their years, yet Enoch 'was no more, because God took him away'. How did Enoch live his life, and what can I do to demonstrate the same faithfulness in my relationship with the Father?<br /><br />Genesis 6:5-7 illustrates the regret and grief of God. How is it that the omniscient Lord of all creation comes to a point of regret? Humans had become incredibly wicked, and I imagine they practices little or no restraint. They indulged in their every whim. The definition of indulge is: to give free reign to; to take unrestrained pleasure in; to yield to the desire of. The people no longer submitted to the reign of God, they took no pleasure in His delights nor did they yield to His desires. Humans were and remain wicked. Due to this wickedness, God decides to destroy all life on the earth. All life. Including the animals. This is interesting, and something I think that is often overlooked. All creatures were condemned to death due to the evil of man. All actions have consequences. Delightful, and terrible. We must be cautious, for everything we do affects countless lives. Directly or indirectly. Guilty or innocent. In verse 9 it is recorded that <span style="font-style: italic;">Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God.</span>How did Noah remain righteous and blameless among the evil that surrounded him? Through Noah's faithful, righteous life he convinced a regretful God that humanity, as wicked as they had become, had something worth preserving. How did he accomplish this? What practices can we adopt in our own culture of evil indulgences that will keep us faithful to God alone, and cultivate lives of righteousness that could inspire transformation among the people that we encounter?<br /><br />Up until Genesis 11 humans were generally united, and in chapter 11 they united to build a tower to the heavens. In verses 5-8 the <span style="font-style: italic;">Lord came down to see the city and the tower the men were building. The Lord said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other."</span> Contained within each human is a piece of knowledge, and aspect of the whole, which when placed together reveals power. The barrier of language is perhaps a shield to protect us from our own tainted goals. When united with God at last under His absolute rule, we will unleash an incredible power for His glory alone.<br /><br />These are a few of today's musings, feel free to comment, discuss, or provide guidance as you see fit.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997459966594899437.post-68144828126365801032012-01-01T00:02:00.000-08:002012-01-01T00:38:32.798-08:00Through the Looking GlassWhile dreams mesmerize my wandering mind, my eyes are drawn to see<br />the light as it catches the sparkling patches of crystalline frost around me.<br /><br />I think about life, about death, about life<br />I ponder on this, and what is and what could<br />and what is, may, never, and possibly be...<br /><br />Cool grass as it gives under foot in the sun, the sounds of nature creating sweet song,<br />Peace tumbling in on a branch swaying by, and joy approaching on a birds journey long.<br /><br />Deep sigh of contentment, snuggling in amongst blanket and body by embers alight,<br />Learn and pretend, just to enjoy, the heavenly host twinkling so bright.<br /><br />So tantalizing are words on pages, the feel and the smell,<br />as rich as they are, can hardly compare to the delightful stories they tell.<br />Pair all the assets they bear with lips and with breath and with air,<br />sit back and enjoy the resulting tale, delivered with passionate care.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-997459966594899437.post-27609945377017635902011-04-02T07:25:00.000-07:002011-04-02T07:25:00.440-07:00An Interesting SightI was riding along in the car the other day <span style="font-size:78%;">(on the way to get more chicks) </span>with Val, Amol and Sam. We were on our way to Middlefield, OH<span style="font-size:78%;"> (which just so happens to be the 4th largest Amish settlement in the world)</span> and I was taking in the views <span style="font-size:78%;">(Ah, the bliss of riding rather than driving!)</span> when I saw it....The Trojan Horse of Mesopotamia, OH!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQflUdSmN1QHqrln7C2HfhB_VUrY24Yunq-ukFIior69z4q_oyRyehzG-DaJxg9f8GIJKdkcrgUsU5OB3dZOPhvYB2Ee0jn3jQdA7csP1-a9_6WIGygolFd_Mp79XsajIeRShyyWK3VJW/s1600/DSC02829.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQflUdSmN1QHqrln7C2HfhB_VUrY24Yunq-ukFIior69z4q_oyRyehzG-DaJxg9f8GIJKdkcrgUsU5OB3dZOPhvYB2Ee0jn3jQdA7csP1-a9_6WIGygolFd_Mp79XsajIeRShyyWK3VJW/s320/DSC02829.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590344389560729650" border="0" /></a><br />We pulled over and took a few pictures, and in all seriousness this thing is pretty neat. "The giant wooden Amish horse and buggy is made completely from 2x4s. The horse stands at 13.5 feet tall from hoof to ear, and it stretches 12 feet in length. The Amish buggy is 18 feet tall and 12 feet long. Each tire is over 7 feet tall. The horse looks as if it is in motion and the buggy trails behind. The entire statue is 35 feet long."<span style="font-size:78%;"> (description compliments of http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/18220)</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1