Look at the time...

Came back from vacation all rested and my mind and body totally rejects the idea of going into drive. This did not bode well with the workload waiting for me which was only exacerbated by an abrupt absence of #1, me being #2, this now made me 1.5 - where upon I was forced into overdrive.

However, having been summarily chastised by my huge (ha ha) following or as it is said 'back due to popular demand,’ I am here to blog.

• Celebrations - My dear ‘dahli'ng friend had her birthday and I hope she was blessed with a wonderful celebration. My brother's son had a birthday as well. He's a senior in high school. I'm very proud of him.
• Speaking of relatives! a cousin and her daughter, both of whom I haven’t seen in over 10 years, came from NJ for a visit. Her two brothers live out here, the youngest of which was getting married! She and her daughter, my youngest, and I spent a lovely day in Palm Springs. They and her brothers, the groom's son, and I spent another day traipsing around Victoria Garden's having lunch at Lucille's. Speaking of which! It is impossible to be nutrition conscious there! I enjoyed a hot link and ribs with greens. Yeah, I could have had chicken but c'mon!
• Second Chance - have you seen that movie? It is well worth the watch! It will make you think about how you walk with Jesus.
• I've been praying for a lot of people, of course including of course Virginia Tech and Johnson Space Center - and online especially. The weight of people’s woes seems particularly heavy right now. Please pray endurance for me.
• In case you haven't noticed I've lost 10 pounds!
• The giant had a car accident but he is okay; however the car was ‘put to sleep’.
• Sunday the 22nd was Earth Day – check this out ‘Gen 1: 26-31

Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground--everything that has the breath of life in it--I give every green plant for food." And it was so. God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning--the sixth day.

• Err of Imus – I think the issue here that stands out above all most common obnoxious speech aired is this was directed at specific people who came to hear and their families and friends hear this awful talk – a total lack of concern about these ladies’ feelings.
• NBA Playoffs – I love this game!

Oooo, look at the time! There is just not enough time in a day! I'm going to try to get back here real soon; the month ain't hardly wrapped up yet!

Thanks to all of you who actually read this stuff and blessings to you all.

sun downer

Don't let the sun set upon your wrath.

Well my question at times is - where to put it? I could sweep it under the rug or proverbial mattress. Would I be able to sleep then? More than likely it would resemble the Princess and the Pea - and be disturbing as long as it was there - so ultimately no solution.

I was listening to a radio station this morning (KSGN 89.7) and the program airing suggested to place the wrath in forgiveness. Hardly seems fair does it? I need to have it, savor it, feel justified with it.

But think - at least my thinking became:

• In this way you can give the problem an identification - what is the problem. This situation went down, and this happened, and this is how I feel about it.
• You can give it ownership, even shared - they did this; I did that; and this was beyond anyone's control.
• Now you can determine what you are going to do with your part. I will work on my behavior when these circumstances occur.
• You can share your difficulty with the other person as to these circumstances. Now (personally, I wouldn't because I haven't overcome my nature to be the introvert and just stuff everything inside); don't be like me.
  
• At this point you can decide to forgive, one - yourself, two - any others. Therein lies the freedom to let the sun set.

Sure - we can't change others, but we can go on with our life even if we have to be around them. Admittedly this is simplistic, but essentially the process. With the circumstances placed in forgiveness, we can approach what lies ahead with a more beneficial attitude which will enable me to pray for the situation and all involved with a right spirit and mind.

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. _{From PSALM 51}

It was through the Lord's forgiveness that I am continuously renewed. I am going to practice that forgiveness. Surely mine will be so meager by comparison; but it's funny how its me who benefits most in the end.

Go ahead sun, make your appointed rounds; I'm ready for you today.

speaking of 'hello'

did you just get up this morning and go about the day's busyness? or did you say 'hello'? I get up awfully early in the morning to commute in a vanpool to the office; soon it will be even earlier as my hours change to '9/80'. I have a tendency to jump out of the bed, decide what to wear, get ready, go, hoping I at least kiss the husband as I race out the door wondering if I have everything like cellphone, pda, notebook, wallet, keys, badge, and the youngest who needs to be dropped at the sitters to be later taken to school. Did I take my medicine? Was I supposed to sign a note for the teacher? Is there something else I'm forgetting? Sometimes I'm successful; sometimes, not. But, did I say hello? I wonder if God relates to You had me at hello!

The Psalms speak to us of it: 5:2-3; 55:16-17; 88:13 and the Lord, Hisself, practiced it Mark 1:35. Daniel took time several times a day to chat with the Lord. Do you ignore your loved ones, not speaking a word to them because of your busyness or recognize this detracts from any relationship? Isn't it funny how we do God? There's a song ... (the husband helped me remember the name)

Heart of Worship

---

Matt Redman

When the music fades and all is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring something that's of worth
That will bless Your heart

I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart

I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You
All about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the things I've made it
When it's all about You
All about You, Jesus

King of endless worth, no one could express
How much You deserve
Though I'm weak and poor, all I have is Yours
Every single breath

I usually get in the car, and after the youngest is deposited, I slow my mind and come before God. Christian music plays and I call out to Him. Maybe I'll cry; Maybe I'll smile - but I talk with Him awhile. Sometimes I forget which makes me sad. On good days, even once in the van I stay with Him, eyes closed, as it makes it way through morning traffic. What would a day be without Jesus?

Hello? ... I'm sorry, Lord, for the things I've made it

ishness

Recognition of ishness in self.

• at base, the concept and/or practice of concern with one's own interests in some sort of priority to the interests of others; it is often used to refer to a self-interest that comes in a particular form, or above a certain level _Wikipedia
• concerned chiefly or only with yourself and your advantage to the exclusion of others _{WordWeb Online}
• thinking and acting as if one's own desires and interests are more important than the interests and desires of others _{Word Tutor}

Wikipedia mentions the "Objectivist philosophy of Ayn Rand, which focuses on what it calls "rational selfishness" or "rational self-interest." The philosophy holds that individuals should not act on momentary self-interested whims but on what is in their long-term self-interest, which is defined to require respecting the individual liberty of others by refraining from initiating coercion against them" which in a Me generation fits right into rationalized thinking with the goal being to create a logic that supports our desires - the thinking sounds good, but is that what is really taking place. Sometimes the best way of looking at something is seeing the general limitations. Common antonyms are altruistic, caring, generous, kind, selfless, unselfish; as defined and as antonyms they cannot co-exist with selfishness. In other languagues the translation often closely looks like our English word "egotist", a correlation that could bear some reflection.

The diagnosis of selfishness is often overlooked by one's self due to the preservation of self. That preservation makes it hard to not conclude that operating in this manner is the best overall outcome for self as well as others; certainly others profit from the self at its best. So upon inter-reflection at being labeled selfish, the mind seeks to defend its current existence. The extent to which a person, who would like to think their ownself as good is in denial, can be quite amazing to experience. The sadness in this may be that all that remains for self is the self; that may not be the best of company. All of us operate with selfishness to some extent. To be labeled as selfish is for it to be one's base operative which cannot come from good.

Pertinent questions are Who is slighted, at risk, adversely affected in my decision? Would any other decision be more fair, beneficial, profitable to the greater all? Sometimes the answer is hard to see clearly; but more times than not it is as plain as the nose on our face. Speaking of body part idiomisms, we don't generally put one body part at risk over another regardless of the motivation, "to cut one's nose to spite one's face". The problem is when we separate ourself from the body in making our decisions.

If we don't want to be selfish, we need to be willing to accept that we may behave this way; being willing to do so will help us to be open-minded enough to see any activity in that regard. Then we can work against our nature to be the better person. The very crux of the lexmas decisions was the ability to examine one's own selfishness and its effect on one's own life.

Lord, help me to see my own selfishness and, Lord, help me to change for the better.

ruminant rants and raves rummaging

capsulization

No one ever told me told me how to take a capsule of medicine. So when as a teen I was first required to, I looked at the little plastic tubing and took it apart, pouring the contents in a glass of water which I quickly drank. This may typify my very nature to make a forest of trees. Now you tell me what I just said?

fallen from Grace

I have never liked CNN's Nancy Grace show - her last name is an irony. I can't see making a living being a hard-nose, but apparently there is a market for it. It is not so much her opinions but her attack approach - dis'Graceful ranting and raving - that repels me. While I don't understand the point of such TV programming, someone losing their life behind it is even harder to comprehend. This would be a hard one to sleep on.

jumped judgements

Although I am judgemental at times (surely proven in my posts), I recently saw a movie - the sisterhood of the traveling pants (definitely tissue material) - that causes me to check myself. (The Giant (eldest son) was walking around the house with manly disputations regarding it while I watched). While I loved the other story lines going on as well, especially with the distant girl making a new friend despite herself, it was the self-adsorbed 'all that' girl (really? am I that judgemental?) that made a homerun on my thoughts. It's not that we are always wrong with what we percieve about someone, but often jump the gun because we don't have a clue as to why so which would balance our personal assessment. When I found out why so with her, my heart was softened. Lord give me the wisdom of Solomon so that I would not be so misjudging or too hard-hearted. Note: I didn't see the movie from the very beginning and have yet to do so (and you know I will), but I suspect that is no excuse.

a Bush-gois nightmare? - abuse of force

Yesterday on KNX1070 I heard Chief of Police Bratton speak to the issue of the three recently recorded incidents of police use of force that has alarmed the metropolitan community. He defended the uniform with 'what a rotten world it is today'. We have a friend who is an officer and a gentlemen; out there doing an outstanding job - and we know others wearing the uniform of like kind. But we also know that all are not as upright and dedicated. Maybe Bratton doesn't know that. His rotten world defense was accompanied with a need to protect the public - certainly true. Too, it almost seemed he defined non-lethal use of force as be glad you're alive. Somehow, though, I missed any mention of the need to preserve the rights of the apprehended. Am I wrong? - they do have some! Maybe we moved to a guilty until proven innocent referendum.

I checked the definition for inalienable again just to make sure I had that right (I must be missing something) - get this:

incapable of being alienated, surrendered, or transferred {inalienable rights}

Not to be separated, given away, or taken away; inalienable.

Now there are criminals out there, shady, unscrupulous folks to be sure. But I don't want to have a Bush-gois - or the film The Siege - world where what worries me when I see brutality in videos or real life is who really is the tyrant? and when officers play good cop/bad cop, do they wear identification? There may be facts we are unaware of in these incidents, but from the outside looking in I am concerned. But, by the grace of God it could be I. Bratton, I just hope the system is designed to the best ability to protect the rights of all. One son is seeking to be an officer of the law and I know he'll be excellent. Yet as a civilian and for the entire public they pledge to protect, I want to be assured protection from abuse of the badge. Meanwhile, a heartfelt cheers to law enforcers of integrity everywhere! Multiply and be fruitful and may the Lord keep thee!

Stand Up and Be Counted

or Sit Down and Shut Up! Ultimately, if you don't vote - you are choosing not to have a say! The thing is voting is important. More importantly informed voting is key! One should take the time to understand the candidates and issues, know what the proponents and opponents are saying and what they're motivations are. One should understand the politics and the integrity (or lack of) involved. Dig through the shady/slanted campaign rhetoric and find the meat and potatoes - what really matters, the crux of the issues. Of course, we can only do this to the best of our ability, but every effort should be made. Don't just be a party follower/supporter, but a follower/supporter of what is right. This year there are energy (or so-called) issues, transportation, local, gubenatorial, etc. issues to deal with.

Most importantly, people have died to gain and ensure that everyone - women, minorities of which I am familiar with the african-american experience, have the right to vote; rights that are often threatened every election. In so considering, it is a moral obligation and privilege to do so, that should not be taken lightly. We should have an understanding what has gone on before us and pass this understanding on to our children by our example and conversation. You can let things happen to you or do your share to make them happen.

Praying you'll be out there voting your conscious this Tuesday, Nov. 7th!