Resolutions Schmooselutes



Happy New Year

Psalm 8


To the chief musician, on the harp. A Psalm of David. O Jehovah, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth; You have set Your glory above the heavens!
Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings, You have ordained strength, because of the ones distressing You, to cause the enemy and the avenger to cease.
When I look upon Your heavens, the work of Your fingers: the moon and the stars which You have fixed;
what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man, that You visit him?
For You have made him lack a little from God; and have crowned him with glory and honor.
You made him rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all under his feet:
all flocks and oxen, and also the animals of the field,
the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, all that pass through the sea.
O Jehovah, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!


Amazing Math Trick

Here's a math trick just for fun.
(You might need a calculator.)


1. Key in the first three digits of your phone number (NOTthe area code)
2. Multiply by 80
3. Add 1
4. Multiply by 250
5. Add the last 4 digits of your phone number
6. Add the last 4 digits of your phone number again.
7. Subtract 250
8. Divide number by 2
Recognize the number?

(Taken from God Gave Us Laughter at Studylight.org)

Tag -- The adnauseum game


I hate tagging. I dislike it for a number of reasons but the main one is that there are so many MORE interesting things to talk about besides 7 things or 5 things etc about me! I won't tag anyone else and this is positively the absolute LAST time I'm playing this game. If I ever get tagged again, I will post this post and hope that it gets sucked into a time warp. (This is not my cat and those are not my cigarettes; I quit smoking over 5 years ago, Praise God from Whom all blessings flow! AMEN.)

7 things to do before I die:
1. Learn Hebrew and Greek
2. Enjoy a grandchild
3. Pay all my debts
4. Publish a novel.
5. Have another 15 minutes of fame. (I'll have to blog about the first 15 minutes)
6. Learn everything about worship
7. Travel in Scotland

7 things I can’t do:
1. Sleep without snoring at some point during the night.
2. Decorate like Martha Stewart
3. Make the perfect fudge
4. Be patient all the time.
5. Stay away from Studylight.org for more than a week
6. Keep from looking at an email when it first hits my inbox. (I had to exit mailbox when taking tests.)
7. Garden

7 things that attract me to blogging:
1. Writing
2. Writing my opinion
3. Writing about my beloved Jesus
4. Writing and teaching my beloved Bible
5. Commenters who agree with me.
6. The bloggers I have met and become friends with
7. The fact that people from all over the world read my blog and that is just fascinating to me! I don't have to have a book published or be famous for someone else to come here and comment, that is just fascinating to me. My blog is a ministry and that is fascinating to me. It is fun! It reaches 24/7 and God gifted me talent and a deep desire to reach out to others. Fascinating.

7 things I say most often:
1. Hoo-ray
2. Anyhoot
4. I’m sorry
5. Please forgive me
6. Hello, kitty kitty, my Scooter, my little man -- hey it works for the cat.
7. Hello, this is Gina.

8 books I love:
1. The Bible
2. Count of Monte Cristo
3. The Trixie Belden series
4. All Georgette Heyer books (I had everyone but lost them when hubby didn't pay the storage bill. If anyone knows where I can acquire as many as possible, please let me know. I used to read every one of them once a year.)
5. Original Star Trek series
6. The Footsteps of the Messiah by Arnold Fruchtenbaum and Purpose Driven Life
7. The Dictionary
8. Authors: Beth Moore, Francine Rivers, Max Lacado, Ron Meur, Bob Larson,

7 movies I watch over and over:
1. While You Were Sleeping
2. Pride and Prejudice and Mansfield Park
3. Romeo and Juliet
4. Much Ado About Nothing
5. American Dreamer
6. Fiddler on the Root
7. Bringing Up Baby and His Girl Friday and any other Cary Grant movie.

Little baby feet


Little, sweet baby feet. Mary will soon cover them with her hand, warming them against the night chill. She has treasured in her heart all the words spoken about her first born Son.

Things like, "The angel was so glorious, shouting out praises to God on High and the Good News! The Messiah is born! Our long awaited Savior, the Lord, is born!"

And word went out publically, through the bright streets of Bethelehem. The star shining down on the child. The little feet, toes curled against the chill, wiggled in His mother's hand.

Eight day old, tiny feet with pink toes that curl in pain as the centuries-old right of covenant is performed on the Messiah. Simon lifts his old eyes, tears spilling from their corners to the Lord God Almighty. Praising Him for this precious gift. Anna speaks to all who will listen about the Christ child, this most amazing gift from God.

The feet grew large enough for little sandals as they toddled, one in front of the other. Tiny hands holding on to a big Daddy finger. His first steps, those little feet on their own, dust swirling around them, making the little nose sneeze. A delighted chuckle from Daddy, and a bright grin from Mommy. Loving, watchful eyes guarded those little feet from the fire, the holes, the rocks.

One day a mighty procession fills the streets of Bethelehem. Camels dressed in finery, servants dashing from house to house questions in their expressions, the star's bright light setteled over one house. Magi, wise men from the far East nod and smile. They get off their beasts and carefully search the packs until fine gifts are found. Gold, frankencense and Myrrh. Reverently they enter His presence. They bow and worship Him, kissing His little feet.

The days go by and His feet grow larger, tucked underneath Him as He sits in His Father's House. The voices of many echo around. He speaks with great authority and the voices quiet. "Did you not know that I must be in My Father's House about My Father's business?"

The days go by and His feet grow larger. The heat bears down and the slap of leather against hard ground is muted by many voices. Dust billows up and covers those following behind Him. Disciples they are called. A word that loosely means dust gatherers as they follow Him. Men and women thirsting for the living water that falls from His lips; hungering for the Bread of Life.

The days go by and storms cease, roiling billows calm, deaf hear, blind see, sick are healed, lepers are cleansed, demons are routed, stories are told, His feet get tired and His bones grow weary from the press of the opressed. His own received Him not but those that did receive Him were given Life because He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, the Doorway to Heaven. The feet carried Him through desert and over mountain, through streams and over the sea.

One afternoon the feet are resting against cool tile. A woman enters the room. She settles at the feet. Her tears wash the dust from them. Her hair dries them. She kisses His feet in deep worship for she has been forgiven much. She washed His feet as the nobleman did not. Reverent worship by anointing them with ointment.

One day the feet stumble down the street, drenched in His blood. The feet are in agony as they trudge toward Golgotha. The nails are hammered through them into the cross. Splinters pierce the skin. Blood drips from them into the dust. The feet strain to hold Him up for one last breath and then He gives up His spirit.

Tenderly the feet are washed one last time, a hundred pounds of spices and clean cloths are wrapped around the body and He is laid to rest in a freshly hewn tomb. The stone covers the entrance and darkness engulfs the One. Days pass. Suddenly, the earth quakes.

Those dear feet touch earth once more, transformed. The same, but different, glorified, radiant feet and body. These dear feet walk down a road and the King tells from Genesis to Zechariah those things that foretold His coming, His dying, His arising in victory over sin and death. On the mountain, the last thing the disciples see are the soles of those feet rising to Heaven.

Oh happy day, the day I can sit at those feet that are even now on the pavement of sapphire as clear as the heavens... To kiss them in worship and adoration... To sit at them and learn from He who has all knowledge and has all power and secured victory for me and gave me life eternal with him. Oh happy day, O glorious feat.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PROSKUNEO -- The Greek word for worship, English translations of the Bible render it as "worship." Proskune is a compound word meaning "to kiss toward" and represents a form of worship that shows reverence and submission to someone or something by bowing to the ground and kissing his feet, the hem of his clothing, or the ground.

Technorati:

Frogs in a Pit


A group of frogs was traveling through the woods, and two of them fell into a deep pit. All the other frogs gathered around the pit. When they saw how deep the pit was, they told the unfortunate frogs they would never get out.

The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit. The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good as dead. Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and simply gave up. He fell down and died. The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could.

Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and suffering and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it out. When he got out, the other frogs asked him, "Why did you continue jumping.

Didn't you hear us?" The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time.

This story holds two lessons:

1. There is power of life and death in the tongue. An encouraging word to someone who is down can lift them up and help them make it through the day.

2. A destructive word to someone who is down can be what it takes to kill them. Be careful of what you say. Speak life to those who cross your path.

The power of words....it is sometimes hard to understand that an encouraging word can go such a long way. Anyone can speak words that tend to rob another of the spirit to continue in difficult times. Special is the individual who will take the time to encourage another.

(copied from an ancient email)

Landon Snow & The Auctor's Riddle


I'm a little late with this review. Randy, I'm sorry! Putting that aside...

Let me tell you that RK Mortenson has published a super book for 8-12 year olds. I read it, and was enthralled. It is thought provoking and educational without being teachy, you know?

I loved it! If you have any kids on your list, this would be a great Christmas present.

I asked Randy a question:

Gina: What did you learn about yourself and about God as you wrote this book. How has that affected you today?

Randy: Interesting questions...

I was struggling with the writing/publishing dream for a decade, meaning I was trying to get something published, but to no avail. At more than one point I prayed that God would take away the incredible desire I had to be published if it wasn't meant to be. If anything, the desire increased. So I learned along the way that I had a lot to learn! I learned patience and perseverance in a rather tangible way. I learned to accept rejection(s) and seek to grow from it. One verse that I held on to is Psalm 37:4: "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." For as important as writing is to me, without God it is not satisfying or fulfilling.

The whole process of writing and learning and praying and dreaming and striving and studying and waiting and yearning revealed to me just how ambitious I really was. It's hard to describe this drive that almost feels like a need, to read and write, along with the hunger for getting published. I continue to learn from it and continue to grow as a writer and as a person. Because it's so strong, it drives me to my knees in search of God's guidance, wisdom, strength, peace, and humility. I am thankful for that.

In the end, of course, God's Word sums it up: "Of making many books there is no end..." Ecclesiastes 12:12, "Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." These words put things into perspective. As important as my book may be to me, well, I recognize that in the great scheme of things there are much more important things--God, eternity,family, other people--to consider. Only God's Word is eternal; my feeble words, for as much energy and time I put into them, will simply pass away.

I hope that answers the questions. :-) Thanks for the thought- and heart-provokers.

Blessings,
Randy

Just click on Landon Snow and the Auctor's Riddle and you can purchase this beautiful book.


A note about email...

A friend who used to forward with all addresses showing and who used to have mine along with everyone else's emails emblazzoned across the top of his emails sent this to me without any email addresses across the top! Finally, he "got" it LOL. The fact is, I trust him and I trust the folks on his email list... but, how about those who they email to? and the ones after that? So, I decided to post this very concise piece of advice concerning email.


FOR EVERYONE WHO SENDS E-MAILS, PLEASE READ VERY CAREFULLY!!!!! I HOPE THIS HELPS

Read the text below...Do you really know how to forward e-mails? 50% of us do; 50% do NOT. Do you wonder why you get viruses or junk mail? Do you hate it? Every time you forward an e-mail there is information left over from the people who got the message before you, namely their e-mail addresses. As the messages get forwarded along, the list of addresses builds, and builds, and builds, and all it takes is for some poor individual to get a virus, and his (her) computer can send that virus to every e-mail address that has come across his computer. Or, someone can take all of those addresses and sell them or send junk mail to them in the hopes that you will go to the site and he will make five cents for each hit. That's right, all of that inconvenience over a nickel! How do you stop it?

Well, there are two easy steps:1) When you forward an e-mail, DELETE all of the other addresses that appear in the body of the message. That's right, DELETE them. Highlight them and delete them, backspace them, cut them, whatever it is you know how to do. It only takes a second. You MUST click the "Forward" button first, then you will have full editing capabilities against the body and headers of the message.If you don't click on "Forward" first, you won't be able to edit the message at all. 2) Whenever you send an e-mail to more than one person, do NOT use the To: or Cc: columns for adding e-mail address. Always use the BCC: (blind carbon copy) column for listing the e-mail addresses.

This is the way that people you send to only see their own e-mail address. If you don't see your BCC: option, click on where it says To: and your address list will appear. Highlight the address and choose BCC: and that's it, it's that easy. When you send to BCC: in this manner, your message will automatically say "Undisclosed Recipients" in the "TO:" field of the people who receive it. So please, in the future, let's stop the junk mail and the viruses! Finally, here's an idea!!! Let's send this to everyone we know. ( but strip my address off first).This is something that SHOULD be forwarded. Hope you find the above info useful and helpful!
whatever you do, please remove my return address before you forward this email!

You can also have a blank email list that sends you a copy. Put a name in your email list (I use All Y'all) then give it your own email address. This will send you a copy if you put it in the To: box at the top. It is a little more personal than "To Undisclosed Recipients"

Is that One for the Chipper?

I'm feeling just better enough to be a bit crabby. The fact that Christmas was good enough as Christmas for our founding fathers and that without Jesus there wouldn't have even been a reason to come to the Americas makes what is happening now worse than a shame.

Our laws are based on Biblical principles. Our ethics are based on Christian ethical standards. Our country was based on a Christian foundation. Yet, we still have a small percentage of people that want to rule our world by insisting on a "Holiday Tree" instead of a Christmas Tree.

Give me a break.

We have a malestorm brewing and it seems to be the Christians are not in the center of the arena helpless before the lions. Falwell on one side is "going to suebanyone who spreads what they see as misinformation about Christmas celebrations in public spaces." What kinds of Christian attitude is that? On the other side we have the pagans who are offended by any mention of Christ or Christmas. They reject Jesus but can't find anything to worship that comes even close to our Lord. Then we have Gov. Arnold who last year "blessed" holiday trees, but this "year lit what he called a Christmas Tree", so stated the news article. The newspaper couldn't call it a Christmas Tree outright. Are we standing firm or are we being blown away in the wind?

Over 50 million websites use the term Christmas Tree and only about 1.6 million use the term Holiday Tree. Is it a trend that just isn't taking hold? I sure hope so. Anyone over the age of 20 has heard, and called it a Christmas Tree for over 20 years so that's a habit that will be hard to break. If it takes 30 days to break a habit then that means it just might take 30 years to break the Christmas habit. We can only hope and pray.

It is Christmas Season; it is Christmas break, Christmas holidays, Christmas vacation, Christmas present, Christmas decorations, Christmas wreath, Christmas cards. Christmas is about Christ! Without Christ there is no Hope, or Faith and certainly, no Love. It is plain as a pikestaff, the Federal Government lets Federal employees off for the Christmas holiday so if the Federal Gov't recognizes Christmas, how can we do anything else? Christmas Holiday. Now that is a term I really like, especially since holiday is a shortened term for Holy Day so Christmas Holy Day is perfectly GREAT for me! How about you?

Catch the nose

... it's running! I sit here perfectly miserable. Oh, I'm estatically happy that I'll graduate with honors and that I have a great job which I have been wanting for so long. But...

My body has these electric aches that whenever a piece of lint scrapes against my skin it feels like a little person is going happy with a sledge hammer. My head feels like Tweety Bird just spit out a huge piece of bubble gum in it and Snoopy is doing the Happy Dance on top of it. Even though the room is 75 degrees, I'm freezing, but it's too hot to back up to the fireplace. Would someone get the 500 pound fat lady off my chest and make her go sing someplace else like a galaxy far, far away. Tissue hurts my nose and my throat is so scratchy we could use it to sand down the house.

And our choir's cantata is Sunday night! Oh me!

This, ladies and gents, is what you get when you brag that you are healthy as a horse. It is what you get when you go Christmas shopping in cold nasty weather right before you are supposed to sing to bring glory to God. Oh my.

Let me tell you about the Christmas shopping. This is really the first year since my divorce that I've really had the Christmas spirit and wanted to go shopping. Mom and I prayed as we drove to town (94 miles away) that God would bring us to the exact thing we should give to each person and that we would have fun. Usually I'm waiting for Mom to finish or she (rarely) has to wait for me. We met up in front of the milk--quite by accident-- and decided to get some coffee. We rested and chatted then parted ways to finish up our shopping. Then we met again at the check outs...she walked right into an empty stall and I traveled a tad farther and walked right into an empty stall [shock]. Then we headed home. All our shopping was done in one day. I'm in awe how God works to smooth paths and how He helps in the little things if we only ask. It is so astounding, I've almost forgotten my head, throat, stomach ache. One day we won't have to worry about germs, amen?

Since He does such astounding work in the little things, I'm quite positive I'll be just fine come Sunday night so that I can glorify Him. That's what it's all about, anyway.

Comes a Horseman

Bob Liparulo emailed me back to let me know that there is a group guide that goes with his book. It is located on the publisher's website, WestBow. You can click the title or the publisher's name to find it. I thought that was really cool!

Claire said her group was reading this book. I think it is a great book to discuss.