So here's a good question: how do we know that Luke wrote Luke and Acts? I've been pondering this recently, and have been doing my best to look it up, but everyone just says that "it's generally acknowledged" Luke wrote them. We know the author was a traveling companion of Paul, and that he uses "we" starting whenever he jumped aboard Paul's journeys, but Paul had lots of companions.
No seriously, why are we all so certain that he wrote the books?
Friday, January 22, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Contented
I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. ~Paul
That Paul was an amazing fellow. Content in every situation? That's some seriously amazing stuff. There are a lot of things that make me content, of course, like freshly-fallen snow, or seeing people read books, or my room being tidy, or watching old people who still love each other, but I'm the first to admit that I'm a long way away from being content in every situation.
My brother and I were discussing last night about whether or not it's possible for a Christian to be perfect. I think yes, he thinks no. The Lord gave us a new life, and it we let the flesh talk us into sinning, then it's our fault. I think we should be able to live our life as the Lord intended us to. Not because we're perfect people (we've already sinned, so it's not like it would change that), but because we're changed. Changed for most situations means a different colour of paint, or less time in the principle's office. Changed for a Christian means entirely, %100 different. That's huge.
So maybe I should take my own thoughts to heart and take a look at what makes me discontent and change my feelings on the matter. After all, if Paul, who was beaten and stoned and eventually killed could be content in all situations, than who am I, with my roof over my head, the coziest bed on planet earth, and a family never far away to be discontent in any situation?
Put that way, there's really not much left to say, is there?
That Paul was an amazing fellow. Content in every situation? That's some seriously amazing stuff. There are a lot of things that make me content, of course, like freshly-fallen snow, or seeing people read books, or my room being tidy, or watching old people who still love each other, but I'm the first to admit that I'm a long way away from being content in every situation.
My brother and I were discussing last night about whether or not it's possible for a Christian to be perfect. I think yes, he thinks no. The Lord gave us a new life, and it we let the flesh talk us into sinning, then it's our fault. I think we should be able to live our life as the Lord intended us to. Not because we're perfect people (we've already sinned, so it's not like it would change that), but because we're changed. Changed for most situations means a different colour of paint, or less time in the principle's office. Changed for a Christian means entirely, %100 different. That's huge.
So maybe I should take my own thoughts to heart and take a look at what makes me discontent and change my feelings on the matter. After all, if Paul, who was beaten and stoned and eventually killed could be content in all situations, than who am I, with my roof over my head, the coziest bed on planet earth, and a family never far away to be discontent in any situation?
Put that way, there's really not much left to say, is there?
Monday, January 18, 2010
An earthly home
I'm pretty sure that most young girls (maybe not most, but some, be among them) know that sure, earthly things are only temporal, but wouldn't it be fun to have your own house to decorate with these swell most-and-rust-will-certainly-corrupt type objects? But moth-and-rust aside, honestly, it's a fun thought.
I'm not saying it's really that fun when it comes down to it, of course, especially since most newly married young ladies tend not to have an overabundance of money to spread around for useless things like fun-shaped bookcases and turquoise spatulas, but the idea is a fun one. For instance, I've always wanted walls painted with that chalk-board paint, or maybe the dry-erase paint, so you could just write all over your walls. Wouldn't that be so awesome for a kid's room? Terribly messy on the carpet if you went the chalk route, but overall worth it, perhaps.
Sometimes I wonder what life must be like for people who aren't expecting the rapture. It's not that I avoid life down on earth in deference to the rapture (I have a job. In insurance. 'Nuff said.), but it's something that crosses most of my thoughts.
For instance, my parents are going away this weekend, Lord willing. Half of that Lord willing is acknowledging that something could happen to them or their car and they might not go, but half of it is simply acknowledging that the Lord could come, um, now. I love pondering that!
So if the Lord doesn't come, and I marry a rich-type guy, stop by my house... who knows? Maybe I'll have sweet-looking bookcases everywhere!
I'm not saying it's really that fun when it comes down to it, of course, especially since most newly married young ladies tend not to have an overabundance of money to spread around for useless things like fun-shaped bookcases and turquoise spatulas, but the idea is a fun one. For instance, I've always wanted walls painted with that chalk-board paint, or maybe the dry-erase paint, so you could just write all over your walls. Wouldn't that be so awesome for a kid's room? Terribly messy on the carpet if you went the chalk route, but overall worth it, perhaps.
Sometimes I wonder what life must be like for people who aren't expecting the rapture. It's not that I avoid life down on earth in deference to the rapture (I have a job. In insurance. 'Nuff said.), but it's something that crosses most of my thoughts.
For instance, my parents are going away this weekend, Lord willing. Half of that Lord willing is acknowledging that something could happen to them or their car and they might not go, but half of it is simply acknowledging that the Lord could come, um, now. I love pondering that!
So if the Lord doesn't come, and I marry a rich-type guy, stop by my house... who knows? Maybe I'll have sweet-looking bookcases everywhere!
Friday, January 15, 2010
Funny labels
This really has nothing to do with anything, but I happened to notice something amusing this morning that had to do with my labels. Maybe not amusing, but... sad?
I have mentioned Neverland and Nancy Pelosi the same number of times at some point during the last 75 posts on here. (Cars, creation, and insurance are on par with Nancy and the Neverland gang, apparently, though that doesn't seem quite as amusing.)
So this is just a note to say that I'm glad I started labeling my posts. If nothing else, it provides temporary amusement.
I just realized that I think I've mentioned death more than I've mentioned Heaven. I'm not sure how that discrepancy happened... Ipes.
I have mentioned Neverland and Nancy Pelosi the same number of times at some point during the last 75 posts on here. (Cars, creation, and insurance are on par with Nancy and the Neverland gang, apparently, though that doesn't seem quite as amusing.)
So this is just a note to say that I'm glad I started labeling my posts. If nothing else, it provides temporary amusement.
I just realized that I think I've mentioned death more than I've mentioned Heaven. I'm not sure how that discrepancy happened... Ipes.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Question me
I like Amos.
The book in the Bible, I'm too young to have known the actual Bible Character. =)
But I like to read Amos. It's straightforward, when Amos has a question, he asks God for a little insight. The Lord answers, sometimes with a lot of information, but usually not. The Lord would ask Amos to pay attention to what was going on around him, "What do you see, Amos?" and Amos would answer to the best of his ability, "a plumbline," or "a basket of fruit," and the Lord would carry forth about what it meant.
Wouldn't it be awesome if we just listened when the Lord asked us things, and asked Him questions in simplicity? "Lord, Jacob is small, how's that going to work out?" (A question from Amos, not me, I personally don't worry much about the shape or size of Jacob.)
None of this, "So anyhow, Lord, if indeed Party A does exclude me from Event 7c at the urging of Unlikely Candidate 13, what am I going to do??" But rather a simple, calm, "Lord, what's going on?" In a word, to ask, and not question.
Ah, for the faith of Amos.
The book in the Bible, I'm too young to have known the actual Bible Character. =)
But I like to read Amos. It's straightforward, when Amos has a question, he asks God for a little insight. The Lord answers, sometimes with a lot of information, but usually not. The Lord would ask Amos to pay attention to what was going on around him, "What do you see, Amos?" and Amos would answer to the best of his ability, "a plumbline," or "a basket of fruit," and the Lord would carry forth about what it meant.
Wouldn't it be awesome if we just listened when the Lord asked us things, and asked Him questions in simplicity? "Lord, Jacob is small, how's that going to work out?" (A question from Amos, not me, I personally don't worry much about the shape or size of Jacob.)
None of this, "So anyhow, Lord, if indeed Party A does exclude me from Event 7c at the urging of Unlikely Candidate 13, what am I going to do??" But rather a simple, calm, "Lord, what's going on?" In a word, to ask, and not question.
Ah, for the faith of Amos.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Take the lead
I don't like to just throw myself into the middle of everyone else's business. For those who know me, you'll realize that I'm pretty non-confrontational, and I dislike telling people what to do. Which is why it's odd that I tend to step up and get things going in groups. Here's the deal: I don't really enjoy being the one to stand up and get a game of Four Men on the Couch going. I'd prefer it if someone told me what to do or what games to play. But for some weird reason I'm the one who rolls her eyes and tells everybody what we're going to do.
It freaks me out that I do that, and I think it makes me sound bossy. Being bossy is one think I'd certainly like to avoid, it at all possible. But it usually makes more sense for someone to just do it, you know, to just get some game started, to just tell people to stop bumming around and start actually doing something together.
I guess this is coming up because I just have been noticing recently how often I'm the one jumping in the middle of the circle and organizing the game. I guess I should be thankful that organizational skills are an ability I have, but, like I say, it mostly makes me feel bossy.
Which is why I was so surprised when not one, but two people thanked me in California for being willing to organize stuff. I hope that one of them will feel like stepping up next time, since it's something they've noticed, but mostly I hope that if organizational-type stuff is something the Lord wants me to do without a feeling of grudging, I will do it to the best of my abilities, and without murmuring.
Amen!
It freaks me out that I do that, and I think it makes me sound bossy. Being bossy is one think I'd certainly like to avoid, it at all possible. But it usually makes more sense for someone to just do it, you know, to just get some game started, to just tell people to stop bumming around and start actually doing something together.
I guess this is coming up because I just have been noticing recently how often I'm the one jumping in the middle of the circle and organizing the game. I guess I should be thankful that organizational skills are an ability I have, but, like I say, it mostly makes me feel bossy.
Which is why I was so surprised when not one, but two people thanked me in California for being willing to organize stuff. I hope that one of them will feel like stepping up next time, since it's something they've noticed, but mostly I hope that if organizational-type stuff is something the Lord wants me to do without a feeling of grudging, I will do it to the best of my abilities, and without murmuring.
Amen!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Finally
Well, I've not posted for a long time, because every time I get on to post, I end up reading mrg's trip blog, which is long enough to keep me occupied for ever. So I haven't written in forever. I had a most excellent winter break, by the way, and I wasn't too wiped out coming back to work, which was certainly an answer to prayer!
I love the New Year, by the way. I've decided that there are a lot of holidays in a year, and the New Year is one I really like. Not because I like the feeling of "turning over a new leaf," but rather because it reminds me that, as a Christian, I can turn over a new leaf any time I want, and the Lord will help me with the problem/resolution/whatever at any point during the year! Isn't that such a great thought? For those of us humans out there who always think we should make a point of doing this or that at a certain time, it's a good reminder that we don't need to wait for these certain times, we can do this or that (Lord willing), whenever we want to! I like that.
New Year's Eve was awesome, as well. I was really tired, so I left the party were at, and came home and Bible'd my way into the new year. Most exceptional. I felt vaguely badly for ditching out on everyone at the party (my pregnant sister stayed for about three hours later than I did, if you want to hear something pitiful), but I had been feeling so anti-social the last few days of conference that I decided it was OK to take some down time.
Speaking of anti-social. So at conference we were talking about being lonely versus being alone. Honestly, I like to be alone. I sometimes just go out on the roof in the summer just to escape the feeling of being in a house with other people. That doesn't mean I love my family an less, but rather that I value my alone time. Very much.
That was all rather random, so I leave you with this one thought. Happy January! Make it a good one.
I love the New Year, by the way. I've decided that there are a lot of holidays in a year, and the New Year is one I really like. Not because I like the feeling of "turning over a new leaf," but rather because it reminds me that, as a Christian, I can turn over a new leaf any time I want, and the Lord will help me with the problem/resolution/whatever at any point during the year! Isn't that such a great thought? For those of us humans out there who always think we should make a point of doing this or that at a certain time, it's a good reminder that we don't need to wait for these certain times, we can do this or that (Lord willing), whenever we want to! I like that.
New Year's Eve was awesome, as well. I was really tired, so I left the party were at, and came home and Bible'd my way into the new year. Most exceptional. I felt vaguely badly for ditching out on everyone at the party (my pregnant sister stayed for about three hours later than I did, if you want to hear something pitiful), but I had been feeling so anti-social the last few days of conference that I decided it was OK to take some down time.
Speaking of anti-social. So at conference we were talking about being lonely versus being alone. Honestly, I like to be alone. I sometimes just go out on the roof in the summer just to escape the feeling of being in a house with other people. That doesn't mean I love my family an less, but rather that I value my alone time. Very much.
That was all rather random, so I leave you with this one thought. Happy January! Make it a good one.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)