Good Reads

Call me easy, I dunno. But I discovered a site that lets you review your reading list and share it with the world or a fraction thereof. I was giddy on contact and put off doing other things just so I could start kvelling about my favorite reads! Simple pleasures are the best.

“Never trust anyone who has not brought a book with them.”
— Lemony Snicket (Horseradish: Bitter Truths You Can’t Avoid)

“I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.”
— Groucho Marx

“Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog it’s too dark to read.”
— Groucho Marx (The Essential Groucho)

Have You Tried Him?

Funny thing happened at the Super Bowl party yesterday. I asked a sister from the praise and worship team how she showed up in the world with her particular gift of ministry in song and she said, I know the God I’m singing about. I’ve tried Him. It was a profound truth expressed with all the simplicity and unshakable faith that comes through every time she sings. I don’t know what I expected to get but that was right on time since today it is quite evident that I’m the one that needs maturity in this relationship.

I actually stomped my feet while crying on the way out the door to walk Gulliver this morning. I don’t want any drama in my life. That’s why I don’t watch tv! I grumbled, tears streaming. And yet, when I reflected on Christ Jesus’ life of whose mine can be but a poor imitation, it was nothing if not full of drama. Yet, He stayed His course and so shall I with His help. So, in response to the text I received, I replied:

No Jesus, no peace. But to them that receive His gift of relationship, to them is given that peace. With such faith, one can move mountains.

I guess I’ll be moving some mountains of my own.

close, but no cigar

Somewhere, at some point, during the day or evening, something like an indescribable peace came over me. When it did, everything else that was not peace, disappeared. I heard myself singing in the shower, how great, is our God, sing with me how great, is our God, in all the sea, how great, how great, is Our God… over and over again, gently, the way I’d awakened this morning singing the hymn we sang in Phoenix: Tu cambiaste, mi lamento in danza, Tu cambiaste, en gozo me dolor…

And this too, was a day like any other. Well, maybe not for the Colts. It was my first voluntary super bowl viewing and the first time in nearly two decades that I completed grading papers by 7 p.m. Took Gulliver to the dog park after second service and before lunch with my local parents at Sweet Tomatoes. I had fun teaching Adult Sunday School. The subject was The Miracle in the Storm and centered on Peter’s venturing out of the boat to walk with Jesus in the fourth watch of the night. I mentioned that it’s nothing but divine coincidence that I was chosen to teach this lesson the very week in which we folk in higher education are bracing for the solution to the $110 million budget cut the governor has called for. No coincidence either that Pastor’s message was about being chosen, selected and ordained = prepared and equipped for just such a time as this. From faith to faith we rise. Amen.

Innywho, I came close to posting this before midnight, but not close enough. And it matters only this much.

A Day Like Any Other

An early trip to the dog park, a load of laundry, vacuuming, preparation for Adult Sunday School, papers to grade and trips to the gym and library in the afternoon. Over and through it all, His hand; I Hold to His Unchanging Hand.

Abandoned Again or Abandoned to God?

This morning, after wondering if Oswald Chambers’ devotional could be applied to marriage, I thought, I am tired of choices. Tired of free will and yet another decision. Then it hit me. If I’m tired of choices, I’m tired of Jesus, tired of infinite love and grace, tired of His choice, His mercy and tired of relationship with Him. The Devil is a liar.

Oh What A Feeling!

If I could describe even a fraction of the feeling that I get when Gulliver relaxes into my hands. It’s as if every bone in his body turns to jelly. He stretches out on his back, full length, and gazes up into my eyes, without, it seems, a care in the world. It’s as if expecting nothing, he receives and gives everything – trust, love, delight, abiding faith that it is and ever will be thus. It’s as if he believes I will never drop or hurt him, as if he trusts that I mean him only love and no harm. But in truth, he knows nothing less than complete protection and provision – with the occasional mashed tail, albeit unintended and always speedily forgotten. I imagine in such moments that it’s God sending me a message, a living breathing example of what He has in mind for me, if I but leap into His arms and abide.

A Fence Runs Through It

When dinner plans changed, I returned home to take Gulliver to the dog park. It was getting on till dark but I figured he could get a good run in before I left for bible study. When we arrived, the section for small dogs was empty and one or two large dogs and their owners were on their side of the fence. As we entered, two children, a boy and a girl, strung out on junk food and carrying more, came in behind us, set their snacks down on the stone table and bench, and set about provoking the large dogs at once. The girl, perhaps 12 years old, went over to the fence and began running alongside it while the little boy, began taunting another, getting the desired response from the dogs immediately, disenchanted, they turned their attentions to me. The little girl returned to her cheese curls and soda, sitting with her back to the table, facing me, and let out a squeal – for my benefit – in Gulliver’s direction. Noticing I was not taking the bait, she changed her tactics while her brother (?) stood on the sidelines. Sizing me up she decided on the direct approach.

“What kind of dog is that?”

“A Terrier.”

“We have a Yorkshire Terrier.”

“It’s more of a Cairn Terrier, not that hairy.”

Getting little more out of me, the two returned to taunting the large dogs while I returned to my reverie and mind-reading of the other dog owners: I just know they think they’re my children and that I’m an irresponsible parent… Not everyone black here is related…I toyed with the idea of intervening. But these, my circumstantial children, seemed to come in looking for a fight that I was determined not to give them.

And so I find myself, after bible study, hankering after the family I never had, and so I try my hand at banana cream pie. By the way, did you hear the one about the Giacometti that sold today? I wonder if the buyer has another $104 million lying around. Add another six and that would take care of the budget shortfall that higher ed in this state has to find or cut in the next three weeks…

49th & Proud?

How is it that the legislature of the State of Nevada can be 49th in per capita spending on education and  take no steps to change that status? How is it that we can tax students (by implementing a fee increase), who are among the poorest and least prepared for college nationwide, and let the casinos go scot free? This is not a disaster waiting to happen. It’s a catastrophe in progress – the full dimensions of which may be unfathomable for generations yet to come. Voters may be asleep at the wheel on this one but God is watching. Shame on us.

Are We Sure It Isn’t the First of April?

God is up to something. I am the apple of His eye not the brunt of His jokes though I have been aware of His peculiar sense of humor for quite some time. Let’s just say Pastor Brady wasn’t telling any lies in her It’s An Idol Issue dvd.

Resolved: I Will Stop Putting Words in God’s Mouth

Again, and obviously, as if I didn’t hear it the first time, Oswald Chambers reminds me:

Every time circumstances press, say, “Speak, Lord”; make time to listen.

True enough, I didn’t actually make time to listen. I simply and conveniently, translated the clear message to suit what I interpreted as my circumstances. Danger, Will Robinson! Every time I do this the consequences are costly in time if not in arrested spiritual growth.