1. I like attending a church that celebrates the church calendar instead of the Hallmark calendar. Many churches make a day like today so awkward for non-mothers (sometimes with the token--all ladies mother in someway or we all have a mother), that for many years I just didn't go to church on Mother's Day. Yes, Mother's Day was mentioned this morning acknowledging the day but the entire service wasn't focused on it.
2. Hooters really planned a promotion around Mother's Day??? Seriously, "Bring your mother to Hooter's for Mother's Day!" What would be more awkward?
3. I cooked "Mother's Day" dinner for Renae and her mother last night because I couldn't cook for my own mother this weekend. I prayed for them before the meal and tried to ask God to bless my mother as well but it made me miss her too much.
4. Each of my sister's (Ann, Mary, and Molly) are great mothe's in their own way. From them I've learned something about parenting--helping a child learn independence, letting a child express their creativity, not having to birth a child to love them with a mother's love, etc. I'm glad they are the mothers of my nieces and nephews--who as they grow up I think realize how good they have it because of these special women.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Friday, May 11, 2012
Friday
So many things have happened in the last few weeks since the last post so here goes a list of lots of random thoughts:
1. I really miss my mom on Mother's Day weekend. I loved 3 years ago when she was here for Mother's Day.
2. Vacation was wonderful. Two weeks ago today I spent the entire day on the beach. Thanks to Jayne I read 4 books over the week--don't know when I've ever done that. I may write about the 4 books later.
3. I like teaching but I don't like the work between the classes, but then I think the students probably don't either.
4. Had a nice team outing with 3 of the 5 team members at the Volksparade at Holland's Tulip Time.
5. My car really needs to be washed. The nice thing about the color of my car (metallic light blue) is good for not showing dust, but the windows show how dirty it is.
6. This has been a couple of very busy weeks at work--getting back from vacation immediately having month end, busy days at the start of the month to invoice clients, getting ready for a server move today, etc.
7. Other thoughts shooting around like a ping pong ball in my head, but those will have to wait . . .
1. I really miss my mom on Mother's Day weekend. I loved 3 years ago when she was here for Mother's Day.
2. Vacation was wonderful. Two weeks ago today I spent the entire day on the beach. Thanks to Jayne I read 4 books over the week--don't know when I've ever done that. I may write about the 4 books later.
3. I like teaching but I don't like the work between the classes, but then I think the students probably don't either.
4. Had a nice team outing with 3 of the 5 team members at the Volksparade at Holland's Tulip Time.
5. My car really needs to be washed. The nice thing about the color of my car (metallic light blue) is good for not showing dust, but the windows show how dirty it is.
6. This has been a couple of very busy weeks at work--getting back from vacation immediately having month end, busy days at the start of the month to invoice clients, getting ready for a server move today, etc.
7. Other thoughts shooting around like a ping pong ball in my head, but those will have to wait . . .
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Friday, April 6, 2012
The Cross
Written for a Holy Week devotional book for my church:
Scripture: Matthew 27:32-54
It is not uncommon to read an article about a person accused of a crime who has spent time in prison only to be released later because the truth has unfolded that he was innocent of the crime. Our sense of justice cries out when we hear these stories that someone was wrongly accused and was paying a penalty for what they did not do. We are angered that this would happen to an innocent person.
In Matthew 27 we read the account of Jesus' death the cross. It is the ultimate story of being accused of crimes uncommitted and of paying an absolutely undeserved penalty. Our sense of justice should be incensed that judges gave into the mobs cries to crucify Jesus. Yet Matthew Henry says, “it is gospel, it is good news, that Jesus Christ was thus delivered for our offences; and there is nothing we have more reason to glory in than the cross of Christ.”
Just last fall I had the privilege of being in Jerusalem and walking the streets of the Old City and down the Mt. of Olives into the city much the same that Jesus walked the night of his trial. What a transforming realization that every step from the Garden to the cross was made with and out of love. At a museum with a scale model of the old city we saw where Golgotha was located just outside the city wall. Golgotha was the place of crucifixion. Crosses were probably set close to ground level so that people could jeer at and spit on those being crucified. Today’s passage gives examples of the people taunting and heckling Jesus on the cross (vs. 37-43). Crucifixion was a horrific and shameful death.
We naturally are repulsed and saddened by the idea of the people giving Jesus wine mixed with gall, casting lots for his clothing, mocking him as king of the Jews, assuming that He could not save Himself, and scoffing that God could not save Him. We are shocked that He would be crucified in the middle of two thieves as if he was the worst of the three. And while we are grieved at the thought of God the Father turning away from Him, we can glory in the cross when we identify with the centurion who said “Truly this was the Son of God!”
Scripture: Matthew 27:32-54
It is not uncommon to read an article about a person accused of a crime who has spent time in prison only to be released later because the truth has unfolded that he was innocent of the crime. Our sense of justice cries out when we hear these stories that someone was wrongly accused and was paying a penalty for what they did not do. We are angered that this would happen to an innocent person.
In Matthew 27 we read the account of Jesus' death the cross. It is the ultimate story of being accused of crimes uncommitted and of paying an absolutely undeserved penalty. Our sense of justice should be incensed that judges gave into the mobs cries to crucify Jesus. Yet Matthew Henry says, “it is gospel, it is good news, that Jesus Christ was thus delivered for our offences; and there is nothing we have more reason to glory in than the cross of Christ.”
Just last fall I had the privilege of being in Jerusalem and walking the streets of the Old City and down the Mt. of Olives into the city much the same that Jesus walked the night of his trial. What a transforming realization that every step from the Garden to the cross was made with and out of love. At a museum with a scale model of the old city we saw where Golgotha was located just outside the city wall. Golgotha was the place of crucifixion. Crosses were probably set close to ground level so that people could jeer at and spit on those being crucified. Today’s passage gives examples of the people taunting and heckling Jesus on the cross (vs. 37-43). Crucifixion was a horrific and shameful death.
We naturally are repulsed and saddened by the idea of the people giving Jesus wine mixed with gall, casting lots for his clothing, mocking him as king of the Jews, assuming that He could not save Himself, and scoffing that God could not save Him. We are shocked that He would be crucified in the middle of two thieves as if he was the worst of the three. And while we are grieved at the thought of God the Father turning away from Him, we can glory in the cross when we identify with the centurion who said “Truly this was the Son of God!”
Truly this is the gospel. Truly this is the good news.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Thankful Thursday
1. Lots of good times spent with friends this past week--dinner with the Vandermeys at Penn Station and walking Shadow with Jayne last night.
2. My nephew-in-law was offered a job this week.
3. My great niece had her 6-month birthday yesterday!!!. Happy half-birthday Emma!!!!!!! And John Michael had is 15th birthday on Tuesday. How can the wonderful little boy now have a driver's permit?????
4. My car is waxed for the summer.
5. A great week for sports: last weekend was Final Four with men's and women's national basketball championship games. Baseball started yesterday with most games today. The Master's started today.
6. Most importantly--it's Holy Week and Sunday is the greatest day in the Church's yearly calender. He is risen. He is risen indeed.
2. My nephew-in-law was offered a job this week.
3. My great niece had her 6-month birthday yesterday!!!. Happy half-birthday Emma!!!!!!! And John Michael had is 15th birthday on Tuesday. How can the wonderful little boy now have a driver's permit?????
4. My car is waxed for the summer.
5. A great week for sports: last weekend was Final Four with men's and women's national basketball championship games. Baseball started yesterday with most games today. The Master's started today.
6. Most importantly--it's Holy Week and Sunday is the greatest day in the Church's yearly calender. He is risen. He is risen indeed.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Happy Birthday Mom!
When I was quite young I took a picture of my mother sitting with her mother while both were doing needlework with my old Brownie camera. I thought it was quite a feat that I found a verse that said, "As is the mother so is the daughter" from Ezekiel 16:44. I found out later that my mom didn't really like the picture because she thought it made her look old.
Today my mother celebrates her birthday. While I don't have a copy of the picture, I do have the verse.
Mom, these are the things that I hope I am like you.
1. I always want to have a desire to learn. I like that you are always reading and learning new things. While you may not become an expert you are interested in a variety of things and you always are interested in going to see new things.
2. I know I will never be the cook you are, but I'd be satisfied with "as is the mother so is the daughter a little bit" when it comes to cooking.
3. I hope that I am as open to hospitality as you are. From you I learned the joy of inviting others into your home. While entertaining may have been more of a chore for many years, you have always welcomed many different people into your home.
4. I hope I have the desire to be in the Word as you do.
Mom and Dad:
I love you Mom! Have a wonderful day--I wish I could be with you on your special day.
Today my mother celebrates her birthday. While I don't have a copy of the picture, I do have the verse.
Mom, these are the things that I hope I am like you.
1. I always want to have a desire to learn. I like that you are always reading and learning new things. While you may not become an expert you are interested in a variety of things and you always are interested in going to see new things.
2. I know I will never be the cook you are, but I'd be satisfied with "as is the mother so is the daughter a little bit" when it comes to cooking.
3. I hope that I am as open to hospitality as you are. From you I learned the joy of inviting others into your home. While entertaining may have been more of a chore for many years, you have always welcomed many different people into your home.
4. I hope I have the desire to be in the Word as you do.
Mom and Dad:
Mom and Dad with Andrew at his senior recital
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Thankful Thursday 3/15/12
1. March Madnes is here! This is always a fun time of year although I'm probably "into" it less this year than others.
2. On my 4 month anniversary yesterday at work I was able to correct all the reconciliation issues for my ARC numbers without asking any questions. I'd promised everyone a party when I did so today I brought in angel food cake, fruit, and whipped topping.
3. Had a very enjoyable dinner at AlpenRose tonight. We were there for our work team lunch before Christmas and got mystery cards with discounts of $5-25. They scan the card when you are ready to pay and Renae had a $25 card!
4. This weather is too amazing!!! Love it, love it, love it; however, it may be too warm and the tulips will be gone before Tulip Time. Can't believe we saw some tulips that were about 3" high in downtown Holland tonight.
5. My class is complete and grades are turned in.
6. I really enjoyed my nieces and nephews when they were little but there is something nice about sending several of them a text when I'm having a computer issue and all respond. Which brings up how thankful I am for text. While I like to hear people's voices, it's great to stay in touch in this way.
2. On my 4 month anniversary yesterday at work I was able to correct all the reconciliation issues for my ARC numbers without asking any questions. I'd promised everyone a party when I did so today I brought in angel food cake, fruit, and whipped topping.
3. Had a very enjoyable dinner at AlpenRose tonight. We were there for our work team lunch before Christmas and got mystery cards with discounts of $5-25. They scan the card when you are ready to pay and Renae had a $25 card!
4. This weather is too amazing!!! Love it, love it, love it; however, it may be too warm and the tulips will be gone before Tulip Time. Can't believe we saw some tulips that were about 3" high in downtown Holland tonight.
5. My class is complete and grades are turned in.
6. I really enjoyed my nieces and nephews when they were little but there is something nice about sending several of them a text when I'm having a computer issue and all respond. Which brings up how thankful I am for text. While I like to hear people's voices, it's great to stay in touch in this way.
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