1 John 1: 1-2 From the very first day, we were there, taking it all in--we heard it with our own ears, saw it with our own eyes, verified it with our own hands. The Word of Life appeared right before our eyes; we saw it happen! (The Message)
As I read this tonight, the words - 'saw it with our own eyes' and 'appeared right before our eyes; we saw it happen' - shot out at me like I was the target of God's awesomeness.
After I've dropped Nicholas off at home after school, I have to go West on I-393 to get to my house. And every night about 4 PM (when the sun is setting) there is a spectacular show in the sky. For example, tonight, the clouds were very large, dark and ominous looking, full of wind. Behind the clouds, the sun's fiery reddish/orange color was peaking like a flame over the top of each one of them, just showing a little bit and amongst all that, a clear blue sky. And through the middle of that blue sky, flew a jet leaving a white streak behind it.
Verses 3 & 4 says, 'We saw it, we heard it and now we're telling you so you can experience with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. Our motive for writing is simply this: We want you to enjoy this too. Your joy will double our joy!" (The Message)
It's hard to describe what I saw in words, but I know only God could have created that and no one else. I also have a motive in writing about this - so you can check it out sometime and hopefully what you see will go deep inside of you.
And verse 2 ends with 'And now we're telling you in most sober prose that what we witnessed was, incredibly this: The infinite Life of God himself took shape before us.'
Well, the infinite Life of God took shape before me tonight.
Nancy
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Saturday, November 24, 2007
2 Corinthians 1:4
2 Corinthians 1:4 He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. (The Message)
The title of chapters 1 & 2 in The Message says it all in two words - THE RESCUE.
As a parent, grandparent and former caregiver of children, I have dealt with many different situations where the children had to be 'rescued'. From holding them when they fell or helping them work through their fears by listening to them or when their feelings were hurt, trying to show them how to handle those emotions. And by showing compassion and being there for them when they needed me, said to that child,'you are special and I love you.'
Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D. wrote a poem ins 1972 entitled, 'Children Learn What They Live'. There are 19 lines that start with 'If children live with'______and then ends with 'they learn to'_______. I believe everyone should read this at least once as it can open a person's eyes and maybe change their ways of thinking.
When we are struggling and need to be 'rescued', we can turn to God to hold us until we are better and to help us through our fears and emotions. He is always here and always shows compassion and, for me, that translates into, 'you are special and I love you'.
As we go through hard times, God tells us to lean on him. And when 'we live with the security' from God 'we learn to have faith'. That faith in him prepares us to, as the Scripture says, be alongside someone else who is going through hard times as God was with us.
Nancy
The title of chapters 1 & 2 in The Message says it all in two words - THE RESCUE.
As a parent, grandparent and former caregiver of children, I have dealt with many different situations where the children had to be 'rescued'. From holding them when they fell or helping them work through their fears by listening to them or when their feelings were hurt, trying to show them how to handle those emotions. And by showing compassion and being there for them when they needed me, said to that child,'you are special and I love you.'
Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D. wrote a poem ins 1972 entitled, 'Children Learn What They Live'. There are 19 lines that start with 'If children live with'______and then ends with 'they learn to'_______. I believe everyone should read this at least once as it can open a person's eyes and maybe change their ways of thinking.
When we are struggling and need to be 'rescued', we can turn to God to hold us until we are better and to help us through our fears and emotions. He is always here and always shows compassion and, for me, that translates into, 'you are special and I love you'.
As we go through hard times, God tells us to lean on him. And when 'we live with the security' from God 'we learn to have faith'. That faith in him prepares us to, as the Scripture says, be alongside someone else who is going through hard times as God was with us.
Nancy
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Psalm 19:9
Psalm 19:9 God's reputation is twenty-four carat gold, with a lifetime guarantee. The decisions of God are accurate down to the nth degree. (The Message)
What is a reputation? One dictionary says it's the generally accepted estimation of somebody as having particular qualities or attributes.
What is Twenty-four carat gold? The best gold. 100% pure and fine.
What is a lifetime guarantee? Something guaranteed for our entire lives.
And lastly, what is the nth degree? A degree without any limits that can be measured or realized.
Picture a 24 carat gold ring, perfect in every way. It has the best qualities and will never fail to meet our expectations right down to the itty bitty detail.
Now picture God. He is perfect and with all the pure. He is one who will never fail us and who comes with a lifetime guarantee.
Nancy
What is a reputation? One dictionary says it's the generally accepted estimation of somebody as having particular qualities or attributes.
What is Twenty-four carat gold? The best gold. 100% pure and fine.
What is a lifetime guarantee? Something guaranteed for our entire lives.
And lastly, what is the nth degree? A degree without any limits that can be measured or realized.
Picture a 24 carat gold ring, perfect in every way. It has the best qualities and will never fail to meet our expectations right down to the itty bitty detail.
Now picture God. He is perfect and with all the pure. He is one who will never fail us and who comes with a lifetime guarantee.
Nancy
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Psalm 78:2-4
Psalm 78:2-4 I'm chewing on the morsel of a proverb; I'll let you in on the sweet old truths. Stories we heard from our fathers, counsel we learned at our mother's knee..We're not keeping this to ourselves, we're passing it along to the next generation. (The Message)
My grandmother had all kinds of sayings and used them frequently. Things like 'a watched pot never boils' - 'hot will cool if greedy will wait' - red sky at night, sailors delight, red sky the morning, sailors take warning' just to name a few. And she would tell me stories about her brothers and sisters and her life growing up in Auburn, NH and she showed me all her black and white photos.
All the stories she told of her life in the early 1900s made her childhood come alive and the stories of those deceased relatives in her albums made them seem real, as if I knew them.
Laura can remember my grandmother only a little as she was 3 yrs old when Great Grammie died. Laura loved Twinkies and my grandmother always had them in her breadbox, especially for Laura. When Laura would ask if she had any Twinkies, my grandmother would repeat with a smile, "Do I have any Twinkies?" Laura could never understand why Great Grammie asked her the question back because Great Grammie always had Twinkies. But it was one of those sayings that left Laura with the memory of Twinkies and Great Grammie.
My girls grew up hearing me say, "you know what my grandmother used to say?" and they knew what it would be based on what they were doing. They have those Great Grammie sayings and memories, through me.
Psalm 78:2-4 wants us to tell our stories to our children and our grandchildren. Often, we don't think our stories are significant enough to share, but if you look at the small "Twinkie" story, it something that will stay with Laura forever, it helps her never to forget her Great Grammie.
Nancy
My grandmother had all kinds of sayings and used them frequently. Things like 'a watched pot never boils' - 'hot will cool if greedy will wait' - red sky at night, sailors delight, red sky the morning, sailors take warning' just to name a few. And she would tell me stories about her brothers and sisters and her life growing up in Auburn, NH and she showed me all her black and white photos.
All the stories she told of her life in the early 1900s made her childhood come alive and the stories of those deceased relatives in her albums made them seem real, as if I knew them.
Laura can remember my grandmother only a little as she was 3 yrs old when Great Grammie died. Laura loved Twinkies and my grandmother always had them in her breadbox, especially for Laura. When Laura would ask if she had any Twinkies, my grandmother would repeat with a smile, "Do I have any Twinkies?" Laura could never understand why Great Grammie asked her the question back because Great Grammie always had Twinkies. But it was one of those sayings that left Laura with the memory of Twinkies and Great Grammie.
My girls grew up hearing me say, "you know what my grandmother used to say?" and they knew what it would be based on what they were doing. They have those Great Grammie sayings and memories, through me.
Psalm 78:2-4 wants us to tell our stories to our children and our grandchildren. Often, we don't think our stories are significant enough to share, but if you look at the small "Twinkie" story, it something that will stay with Laura forever, it helps her never to forget her Great Grammie.
Nancy
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Ephesians 2:1
Ephesians 2:1 It wasn't so long ago that you were mired in that old stagnant life of sin. (The Message)
This verse made me think of the words - mired and stagnant. Mire can mean not only a thick slimy mud to get stuck in, but also can be an oppressive situation that is difficult to escape from. And stagnant means not flowing or moving, no making progress or not active.
Think about a stagnant pond and how the grey and murky muck changes the color and consistency of the water. What happened to the pond, why isn't it a good color and why isn't the water flowing? Is it dead water?
These ponds can be like our lives where we often get stuck in the nooks and crannies of living and stop moving or if we do move, it's our way.
I love to listen to Bon Jovi and especially the song "It's My Life". Part of it says, "It's my life, it's now or never, I ain't gonna live forever, I just want to live while I'm alive." Like Frankie said, "I did it my way."
When I look at the words of that song, it makes me see that even if my life is mine, it really isn't. It's true I'm not going to live forever (on earth) and I really do want to live it while I'm alive. And as tempting as it is to live it 'my way', I know I must live it 'God's way'.
So I'm trying to tie my thoughts together - mired, stagnant and my way (the worlds way). If we let God, he will take our stagnant lives from the mire and get us moving into the clean and clear running water and there we can live our life, while alive, his way.
Nancy
This verse made me think of the words - mired and stagnant. Mire can mean not only a thick slimy mud to get stuck in, but also can be an oppressive situation that is difficult to escape from. And stagnant means not flowing or moving, no making progress or not active.
Think about a stagnant pond and how the grey and murky muck changes the color and consistency of the water. What happened to the pond, why isn't it a good color and why isn't the water flowing? Is it dead water?
These ponds can be like our lives where we often get stuck in the nooks and crannies of living and stop moving or if we do move, it's our way.
I love to listen to Bon Jovi and especially the song "It's My Life". Part of it says, "It's my life, it's now or never, I ain't gonna live forever, I just want to live while I'm alive." Like Frankie said, "I did it my way."
When I look at the words of that song, it makes me see that even if my life is mine, it really isn't. It's true I'm not going to live forever (on earth) and I really do want to live it while I'm alive. And as tempting as it is to live it 'my way', I know I must live it 'God's way'.
So I'm trying to tie my thoughts together - mired, stagnant and my way (the worlds way). If we let God, he will take our stagnant lives from the mire and get us moving into the clean and clear running water and there we can live our life, while alive, his way.
Nancy
Thursday, November 15, 2007
2 Peter 3:10-13
2 Peter 3:10-13 But when the Day of God's Judgment does come, it will be unannounced, like a thief. The sky will collapse with a thunderous bang, everything disintegrating in a huge conflagration, earth and all its works exposed to the scrutiny of Judgment.
Since everything here today might well be gone tomorrow, do you see how essential it is to live a holy life? Daily expect the Day of God, eager for its arrival. The galaxies will burn up and the elements melt down that day--but we'll hardly notice. We'll be looking the other way, ready for the promised new heavens and the promised new earth, all landscaped with righteousness. (The Message)
Did you ever hear the story of "Chicken Little"?
One day Chicken Little was walking through the woods and when an acorn fell on her head. She thought for sure the sky was falling and wanted to tell the king. On her way to the palace, she met Henny Penny, Ducky Lucky, Cocky Locky and Turkey Lurkey and told them. They then decided they had to tell the king as well. But on their way, they ran into Foxy Loxy and told him the story and where they were going.
Foxy Loxy wanted to know how they knew the sky was falling. Chicken Little said, 'I saw it with my own eyes and heard it with my own ears and part of it fell on my head.' Foxy Loxy then told the group he knew a shortcut to the palace and to follow him. But he instead led them to his hole with plans to eat them. And then what happened? One version says, the king gave Chicken Little an umbrella to carry when she walked in the woods, so when an acorn fell on her, she wouldn't mind, she wouldn't notice it at all. Where did we just hear that? 2 Peter 3:10-13
God tells us judgment day will come and the sky will fall in. It's not to scare us and create panic, but to make us aware that it will happen and to give us time to make the changes in our lives he wants us to do.
Lets be on guard and not let anyone (Foxy Loxy-lawless & loose-talking teachers) come between us and our King.
Nancy
Since everything here today might well be gone tomorrow, do you see how essential it is to live a holy life? Daily expect the Day of God, eager for its arrival. The galaxies will burn up and the elements melt down that day--but we'll hardly notice. We'll be looking the other way, ready for the promised new heavens and the promised new earth, all landscaped with righteousness. (The Message)
Did you ever hear the story of "Chicken Little"?
One day Chicken Little was walking through the woods and when an acorn fell on her head. She thought for sure the sky was falling and wanted to tell the king. On her way to the palace, she met Henny Penny, Ducky Lucky, Cocky Locky and Turkey Lurkey and told them. They then decided they had to tell the king as well. But on their way, they ran into Foxy Loxy and told him the story and where they were going.
Foxy Loxy wanted to know how they knew the sky was falling. Chicken Little said, 'I saw it with my own eyes and heard it with my own ears and part of it fell on my head.' Foxy Loxy then told the group he knew a shortcut to the palace and to follow him. But he instead led them to his hole with plans to eat them. And then what happened? One version says, the king gave Chicken Little an umbrella to carry when she walked in the woods, so when an acorn fell on her, she wouldn't mind, she wouldn't notice it at all. Where did we just hear that? 2 Peter 3:10-13
God tells us judgment day will come and the sky will fall in. It's not to scare us and create panic, but to make us aware that it will happen and to give us time to make the changes in our lives he wants us to do.
Lets be on guard and not let anyone (Foxy Loxy-lawless & loose-talking teachers) come between us and our King.
Nancy
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Making Your World Bigger
I have a tendency to keep to myself and stay in my own little world. I learned early that it was safer and easier, or so I thought. If I didn't get to close to people, I couldn't get hurt and if I kept to myself I didn't have to deal with their problems. I was also taught things like "blood is thicker than water" (friends are not important), "charity starts at home" and "you worry about you"( who cares about anyone else).
Reaching out to people and getting to know them and letting them get to know you can be very scary and difficult, but remaining isolated is extremely lonely and destructive. I believe being a loner contributed to my divorce with my first husband. I was afraid to tell anyone I was having problems and I refused to get help. The attitude that I didn't need anyone led to suicidal fantasies, a psychiatrist, medication and a divorce.
I'm not where I should be, but I'm not where I was. It takes practice to trust and love others, but with faith in Christ and support in a Christian community, it gets easier. Reaching out, helping others, and letting them help you is actually very rewarding.
This poem, taken from The Magnificat, reminds me that to love is God's command and our blessing.
Prayer to Grow in Love
Beloved, let us love: for love is of God;
In God alone love has its true abode.
Beloved, let us love: for those who love,
They only are his children from above.
Beloved, let us love: for love is rest,
And those who do not love cannot be blessed.
Beloved, let us love: for love is light,
And those who do not love still live in night.
Beloved, let us love: for only thus
Shall we see God, the Lord, who first loved us.
Suzanne
Reaching out to people and getting to know them and letting them get to know you can be very scary and difficult, but remaining isolated is extremely lonely and destructive. I believe being a loner contributed to my divorce with my first husband. I was afraid to tell anyone I was having problems and I refused to get help. The attitude that I didn't need anyone led to suicidal fantasies, a psychiatrist, medication and a divorce.
I'm not where I should be, but I'm not where I was. It takes practice to trust and love others, but with faith in Christ and support in a Christian community, it gets easier. Reaching out, helping others, and letting them help you is actually very rewarding.
This poem, taken from The Magnificat, reminds me that to love is God's command and our blessing.
Prayer to Grow in Love
Beloved, let us love: for love is of God;
In God alone love has its true abode.
Beloved, let us love: for those who love,
They only are his children from above.
Beloved, let us love: for love is rest,
And those who do not love cannot be blessed.
Beloved, let us love: for love is light,
And those who do not love still live in night.
Beloved, let us love: for only thus
Shall we see God, the Lord, who first loved us.
Suzanne
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
John 17:10
John 17:10 Everything mine is yours, and yours mine. (The Message)
Jesus was praying for his followers when he said those words. The same concept goes for us - everything we have belongs to Christ and everything he has belongs to us. Sharing.
Two year olds do not share willingly as a rule. I have noticed Jacob and Natalee using the word 'mine' a lot lately. No one taught them to say it or how to use it, they just know. They also can be rather territorial when it comes to 'their' things (rain boots, special animals etc). Then again, sometimes one of them will find the other's cup or animal and give it to the other using the words, 'here you go' and sometimes it can even be one of their own crackers they share with the other.
Teaching a two year old to share isn't easy. It's a job where you have to be consistent, patient and willing to spend the time. But when I see these babies sharing on their own, I find it amazing to watch because I see they really care for each other.
Sharing isn't just with inanimate objects either. Sharing is also the giving of yourself. Once when we were traveling in Florida, we came upon a young man who had been hit by a car while he was crossing a major road on his bike. His body was covered with a blanket and only his feet were showing. As we were driving by, Rebecca wanted to stop and pray for him. She was only 12 or 13 and I didn't know what to do. I didn't know if it was appropriate to stop and pray or if it was, would they let us. We decided not to even try to stop because of the traffic, police, fire and rescue, but would pray for him when we got back to the in laws. It gave us a little more time to think about how we should pray because we knew this boy was dead and his parents
had no idea of what they were going to be told.
Sometimes we have to learn to share (us or our things) the way two year olds do and need to be reminded over and over again. Jesus gave himself to us and died on the cross for us. Don't you find it amazing that he gave up his life so we could be saved? The ultimate sacrifice.
What can we give to him?
Nancy
Jesus was praying for his followers when he said those words. The same concept goes for us - everything we have belongs to Christ and everything he has belongs to us. Sharing.
Two year olds do not share willingly as a rule. I have noticed Jacob and Natalee using the word 'mine' a lot lately. No one taught them to say it or how to use it, they just know. They also can be rather territorial when it comes to 'their' things (rain boots, special animals etc). Then again, sometimes one of them will find the other's cup or animal and give it to the other using the words, 'here you go' and sometimes it can even be one of their own crackers they share with the other.
Teaching a two year old to share isn't easy. It's a job where you have to be consistent, patient and willing to spend the time. But when I see these babies sharing on their own, I find it amazing to watch because I see they really care for each other.
Sharing isn't just with inanimate objects either. Sharing is also the giving of yourself. Once when we were traveling in Florida, we came upon a young man who had been hit by a car while he was crossing a major road on his bike. His body was covered with a blanket and only his feet were showing. As we were driving by, Rebecca wanted to stop and pray for him. She was only 12 or 13 and I didn't know what to do. I didn't know if it was appropriate to stop and pray or if it was, would they let us. We decided not to even try to stop because of the traffic, police, fire and rescue, but would pray for him when we got back to the in laws. It gave us a little more time to think about how we should pray because we knew this boy was dead and his parents
had no idea of what they were going to be told.
Sometimes we have to learn to share (us or our things) the way two year olds do and need to be reminded over and over again. Jesus gave himself to us and died on the cross for us. Don't you find it amazing that he gave up his life so we could be saved? The ultimate sacrifice.
What can we give to him?
Nancy
Monday, November 12, 2007
2 Corinthians 6:3-10
2 Corinthians 6:3-10 People are watching us as we stay at our post, alertly, unswervingly....
in hard times, tough times, bad times;
when we're beaten up, jailed, and mobbed; working hard, working late, working without eating;
with pure heart, clear head, steady hand; in gentleness, holiness, and honest love;
when we're telling the truth, and when God's showing his power; when we're doing our best setting things right;
when we're praised and when we are blamed; slandered and honored; true to our work, through distrusted;
ignored by the world, but recognized by God; terrifically alive, though rumored to be dead; beaten within an inch of our lives, but refusing to die;
immersed in tears, yet always fill with deep joy; living on handouts, yet enriching many; having nothing, having it all. (The Message)
In this passage, Paul is concerned that he live an exemplary life as he doesn't want the ministry discredited (NIV)
I sometimes struggle keeping my toes pointed in God's direction and not giving in to the world when I feel overwhelmed by anything or everything. What would that say about my faith if I gave in or didn't turn to God or to my Godly friends for help? It would show that I'm no different than an unbeliever.
We have to understand that whatever we (Christians) are going through, people are watching to see how we handle things and if we are act like who we proclaim to be.
I read somewhere that we may be the only Bible some people will ever read.
What a responsibility that is for us..
Nancy
in hard times, tough times, bad times;
when we're beaten up, jailed, and mobbed; working hard, working late, working without eating;
with pure heart, clear head, steady hand; in gentleness, holiness, and honest love;
when we're telling the truth, and when God's showing his power; when we're doing our best setting things right;
when we're praised and when we are blamed; slandered and honored; true to our work, through distrusted;
ignored by the world, but recognized by God; terrifically alive, though rumored to be dead; beaten within an inch of our lives, but refusing to die;
immersed in tears, yet always fill with deep joy; living on handouts, yet enriching many; having nothing, having it all. (The Message)
In this passage, Paul is concerned that he live an exemplary life as he doesn't want the ministry discredited (NIV)
I sometimes struggle keeping my toes pointed in God's direction and not giving in to the world when I feel overwhelmed by anything or everything. What would that say about my faith if I gave in or didn't turn to God or to my Godly friends for help? It would show that I'm no different than an unbeliever.
We have to understand that whatever we (Christians) are going through, people are watching to see how we handle things and if we are act like who we proclaim to be.
I read somewhere that we may be the only Bible some people will ever read.
What a responsibility that is for us..
Nancy
Lessons We've Learned So You Don't Have To!
Good morning friends,
With the new job I've had to let the kids prove themselves a bit more. Bow's school calendar is different from Pembroke's so this past week found them home for two mornings without me. A few rules to adhere to and they did fine ( no cooking, no junk tv shows). Yesterday the boys stayed home from church to keep Rachel company (something viral's got her feeling under the weather). I came home, acknowledged their success staying alone and wistfully announced that they were growing up and needing me less and less - of course hoping for some pity hugs and kisses. Alas no. One of them simply stated, "Yep we probably are."
Well today Gavin needed me. Out of a sound sleep, about an hour earlier than I wanted to be needed, he needed me.
"Mom, I kind of need your help. I was near the toilet and taking out my retainer and it fell in."
There are a few things I can move really fast for. A coughing baby in the middle of the night, a loud sound in the room where the kids are playing, the noise of a really fast descent down the stairs. This is a new one to add to the list.
I was hoping for a freshly flushed bowl. Negative. He's had the retainer for a week. If I couldn't retrieve it I could count on another $310 for a new retainer and whatever the plumber would charge me once it messed up our plumbing system.
I chose my weapons carefully. The plastic refillable toilet cleaner brush handle and my other hand. I knew the importance of getting this on the first try or it might slide irretrievably back into Toilet World. Suffice to say I got it on the first try and spent the next 10 minutes with my hands and the retainer in the sink scrubbing everything to prove my knowledge of surgical aseptic technique.
I Googled "how to clean retainer after it's been in a toilet". with no success. Don't tell me this is the first time it's happened,
Once the orthodontist office opened I called. "My son dropped his retainer in the toilet. How do I clean it?"
"Wait just a minute...." I was on hold for more than a minute. Don't tell me this is the first time it's happened. When she came back on the line she said " you can soak it in diluted bleach and then put it in a cup of water with an effervescent tablet for fifteen minutes and scrub it with a toothbrush. So right after I go through my wardrobe to pick out what I'll wear for the Mom of The Year award that my kid better nominate me for I'll be off to Rite-Aid to pick up some cleaning supplies.
But hey, they still need me!!!
Have a good week,
Carol
With the new job I've had to let the kids prove themselves a bit more. Bow's school calendar is different from Pembroke's so this past week found them home for two mornings without me. A few rules to adhere to and they did fine ( no cooking, no junk tv shows). Yesterday the boys stayed home from church to keep Rachel company (something viral's got her feeling under the weather). I came home, acknowledged their success staying alone and wistfully announced that they were growing up and needing me less and less - of course hoping for some pity hugs and kisses. Alas no. One of them simply stated, "Yep we probably are."
Well today Gavin needed me. Out of a sound sleep, about an hour earlier than I wanted to be needed, he needed me.
"Mom, I kind of need your help. I was near the toilet and taking out my retainer and it fell in."
There are a few things I can move really fast for. A coughing baby in the middle of the night, a loud sound in the room where the kids are playing, the noise of a really fast descent down the stairs. This is a new one to add to the list.
I was hoping for a freshly flushed bowl. Negative. He's had the retainer for a week. If I couldn't retrieve it I could count on another $310 for a new retainer and whatever the plumber would charge me once it messed up our plumbing system.
I chose my weapons carefully. The plastic refillable toilet cleaner brush handle and my other hand. I knew the importance of getting this on the first try or it might slide irretrievably back into Toilet World. Suffice to say I got it on the first try and spent the next 10 minutes with my hands and the retainer in the sink scrubbing everything to prove my knowledge of surgical aseptic technique.
I Googled "how to clean retainer after it's been in a toilet". with no success. Don't tell me this is the first time it's happened,
Once the orthodontist office opened I called. "My son dropped his retainer in the toilet. How do I clean it?"
"Wait just a minute...." I was on hold for more than a minute. Don't tell me this is the first time it's happened. When she came back on the line she said " you can soak it in diluted bleach and then put it in a cup of water with an effervescent tablet for fifteen minutes and scrub it with a toothbrush. So right after I go through my wardrobe to pick out what I'll wear for the Mom of The Year award that my kid better nominate me for I'll be off to Rite-Aid to pick up some cleaning supplies.
But hey, they still need me!!!
Have a good week,
Carol
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Isaiah 1:18
Isaiah 1:18 "Come, sit down. Let's argue this out." This is God's Message. "If your sins are blood red, they'll be snow-white. If they're red like crimson, they'll be like wool. (The Message)
According to a resource, blood red (scarlet) and crimson are shades of red made from the crushed body of an insect. And at that time in history it was the most securely fixed dye known and no launderer could remove it from the cloth.
We now buy dye in little boxes at the grocery store or if we really get into dyeing, we can order dye from various companies on the internet. One company I found sells 16 different types of dyes. Each one a little different. It depends what type of fabric you have or the type of application you will use. You can paint dye on, tub dye, microwave dye or stencil, spray and
squirt dye on. I never realized there was so many ways of dyeing items.
I dyed an article of cloth in my washing machine before and learned the hard way, not all the dye comes out in the final rinse. The article I dyed came out great, just the color I wanted, perfect!! However, because I didn't re-rinse (a 2nd time) the washer after I finished dyeing, my next regular white wash load also came out a little colored. Not so perfect!!
Isaiah is telling us that our sins are like a dye, a stain. And unlike dyes that are permanently ingrained into a product, our sins aren't permanently ingrained in us. God can remove the stain (sin) in one washing. It's gone.
Nancy
According to a resource, blood red (scarlet) and crimson are shades of red made from the crushed body of an insect. And at that time in history it was the most securely fixed dye known and no launderer could remove it from the cloth.
We now buy dye in little boxes at the grocery store or if we really get into dyeing, we can order dye from various companies on the internet. One company I found sells 16 different types of dyes. Each one a little different. It depends what type of fabric you have or the type of application you will use. You can paint dye on, tub dye, microwave dye or stencil, spray and
squirt dye on. I never realized there was so many ways of dyeing items.
I dyed an article of cloth in my washing machine before and learned the hard way, not all the dye comes out in the final rinse. The article I dyed came out great, just the color I wanted, perfect!! However, because I didn't re-rinse (a 2nd time) the washer after I finished dyeing, my next regular white wash load also came out a little colored. Not so perfect!!
Isaiah is telling us that our sins are like a dye, a stain. And unlike dyes that are permanently ingrained into a product, our sins aren't permanently ingrained in us. God can remove the stain (sin) in one washing. It's gone.
Nancy
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Job 39:1-2
Job 39:1-2 "Do you know the month when mountain goats give birth? Have you ever watched a doe bear her fawn? Do you know how many months she is pregnant? Do you know the season of her delivery, when she crouches down and drops her offspring? (The Message)
In Chapters 38 & 39 Job is confronted by God and used creation to show Job his sovereignty, his power and his loving care. He asked questions like - 'who do you think did this? - how do the animals know when to? - are you the one who? - was it through your know how? - did you create him?
I chose verses 1-2 in chapter 39 because it made me think of Nicole, one of the kids in the Bow Clovers 4-H club. Nicole and her family raised goats and showed them every year at the Hopkinton State Fair. Their goats were Toggenburgs (Swiss dairy goats) and are credited as being the oldest known dairy goat breed. These goats are friendly, loving (as a goat can be) and
enjoy people.
Nicole and my daughter, Laura, were great friends and spent a lot of time together. Every March/April when the goats were ready to deliver, Laura and Nicole would spend all of their free time at the barn, never knowing the exact time these kids would come. The baby monitor was on in the house and everybody had one ear on that monitor. No one slept much waiting for the sounds of birth and when it came, everyone, including Laura, would go down to the barn to watch and assist if needed. Even though the family knew which time of year these kids were to be born, only God knew the exact moment.
Job was hurting, he was suffering and didn't see things clearly. He felt alone and had trouble remembering that God was in control of every part of his life and so by God asking Job all those questions, it got him to stop and say "Yes, God is in charge and then he decided he talked too much and was ready to listen. He had to admit that God could do anything and everything, that nothing and no one could upset God's plans. (The Message)
It's the same for us. God is in charge of life. He's in charge of when a goat kid is born, of when a storm comes, of when leaves change - everything.
Nancy
In Chapters 38 & 39 Job is confronted by God and used creation to show Job his sovereignty, his power and his loving care. He asked questions like - 'who do you think did this? - how do the animals know when to? - are you the one who? - was it through your know how? - did you create him?
I chose verses 1-2 in chapter 39 because it made me think of Nicole, one of the kids in the Bow Clovers 4-H club. Nicole and her family raised goats and showed them every year at the Hopkinton State Fair. Their goats were Toggenburgs (Swiss dairy goats) and are credited as being the oldest known dairy goat breed. These goats are friendly, loving (as a goat can be) and
enjoy people.
Nicole and my daughter, Laura, were great friends and spent a lot of time together. Every March/April when the goats were ready to deliver, Laura and Nicole would spend all of their free time at the barn, never knowing the exact time these kids would come. The baby monitor was on in the house and everybody had one ear on that monitor. No one slept much waiting for the sounds of birth and when it came, everyone, including Laura, would go down to the barn to watch and assist if needed. Even though the family knew which time of year these kids were to be born, only God knew the exact moment.
Job was hurting, he was suffering and didn't see things clearly. He felt alone and had trouble remembering that God was in control of every part of his life and so by God asking Job all those questions, it got him to stop and say "Yes, God is in charge and then he decided he talked too much and was ready to listen. He had to admit that God could do anything and everything, that nothing and no one could upset God's plans. (The Message)
It's the same for us. God is in charge of life. He's in charge of when a goat kid is born, of when a storm comes, of when leaves change - everything.
Nancy
Monday, November 5, 2007
1 Corinthians 10:13
1 Corinthians 10:13 No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it. (The Message)
Oswald Chambers (1874-1917), a Scottish minister and teacher was converted to Christianity during his teen years under Charles Spurgeon and went on to study theology at Dunoon College. He wrote a book called "My Utmost For His Highest".
In his book, there is a passage that says, "There are spots (in our lives) that faith has not worked in us as yet."
I thought I had me together and never thought about my not trusting God enough until 5 years ago when he started to test me. It's not fun to be tested and it's not fun to be pushed to what you think is your limit and it can make you either run to God or from God. So you have that issue on top of everything else and believe me, at those times, it's not as easy a decision as you think and I believe it is easier to run from God than to him. It takes courage and strength to keep the faith and to stay focused on his Word. God has provided me friends/family to stay by my side and they constantly remind me that God is with me and won't leave me, ever.
It's hard to be pushed and I can be stubborn at times, but the Scripture says God won't let us be pushed beyond our limits. So when I get to what I think is the end of my limit (as I have many times and still do), I have to trust that God will intervene and bring me safely past that point and he does that by providing me with strong Christian people to lean on. It's an ongoing process for me, but God won't give up.
Life is difficult and God will continually stretch our faith, but never beyond what he knows we can handle. I pray I can continue to endure God's testing and eventually pass it and then be strong for the next test.
Nancy
Oswald Chambers (1874-1917), a Scottish minister and teacher was converted to Christianity during his teen years under Charles Spurgeon and went on to study theology at Dunoon College. He wrote a book called "My Utmost For His Highest".
In his book, there is a passage that says, "There are spots (in our lives) that faith has not worked in us as yet."
I thought I had me together and never thought about my not trusting God enough until 5 years ago when he started to test me. It's not fun to be tested and it's not fun to be pushed to what you think is your limit and it can make you either run to God or from God. So you have that issue on top of everything else and believe me, at those times, it's not as easy a decision as you think and I believe it is easier to run from God than to him. It takes courage and strength to keep the faith and to stay focused on his Word. God has provided me friends/family to stay by my side and they constantly remind me that God is with me and won't leave me, ever.
It's hard to be pushed and I can be stubborn at times, but the Scripture says God won't let us be pushed beyond our limits. So when I get to what I think is the end of my limit (as I have many times and still do), I have to trust that God will intervene and bring me safely past that point and he does that by providing me with strong Christian people to lean on. It's an ongoing process for me, but God won't give up.
Life is difficult and God will continually stretch our faith, but never beyond what he knows we can handle. I pray I can continue to endure God's testing and eventually pass it and then be strong for the next test.
Nancy
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Proverbs 19:4
Proverbs 19:4 Wealth attracts friends as honey draws flies, but poor people are avoided like a plague. (The Message)
I remember a young friend of Laura's who struggled in keeping her friends and thought if she gave the kids little presents they would like her better. And for the most part they did, not because of who she was, but because of the presents she gave them. She didn't understand she was buying their friendship and it appeared to them she had money to burn, so why not be a friend.
My town has more than it's share of rich people who have the big houses, big SUV's, designer clothes and have pretty much anything they want when they want it. But we also have people on the welfare system. Ones who qualify for food stamps, free school lunches, Medicaid and who get the bags of groceries at Thanksgiving.
Growing up I heard hear things like: put in a pool, you will have more friends than you ever knew you had or how many relatives/friends (for those who travel to FL during the winter months) show up and want to spend a week or two with you. Are they the same friends you'd have if you didn't have the FL place or the pool?
Are there any differences in them as people? In some aspects there are. The outsides are different-period. We are all people, children of God and he loves us equally. Wealthy people aren't any better or worse than poor people to God and shouldn't be to us either.
Too bad we sometimes can't see others for who they are instead of what they have. The nicest people I meet are the normal, every day, down to earth, run of the mill Joes. They don't try to buy my friendship or impress me with their homes or their clothes. They like me for who I am and I like them for who they are. I used to tell my girls - it's not what's on the outside that counts, it's what's on the inside (meaning the heart).
Let's think of that the next time someone who hasn't or looks like they don't have much wants to spend time or talk with us. Don't ignore them and love them as a brother or sister.
Nancy
I remember a young friend of Laura's who struggled in keeping her friends and thought if she gave the kids little presents they would like her better. And for the most part they did, not because of who she was, but because of the presents she gave them. She didn't understand she was buying their friendship and it appeared to them she had money to burn, so why not be a friend.
My town has more than it's share of rich people who have the big houses, big SUV's, designer clothes and have pretty much anything they want when they want it. But we also have people on the welfare system. Ones who qualify for food stamps, free school lunches, Medicaid and who get the bags of groceries at Thanksgiving.
Growing up I heard hear things like: put in a pool, you will have more friends than you ever knew you had or how many relatives/friends (for those who travel to FL during the winter months) show up and want to spend a week or two with you. Are they the same friends you'd have if you didn't have the FL place or the pool?
Are there any differences in them as people? In some aspects there are. The outsides are different-period. We are all people, children of God and he loves us equally. Wealthy people aren't any better or worse than poor people to God and shouldn't be to us either.
Too bad we sometimes can't see others for who they are instead of what they have. The nicest people I meet are the normal, every day, down to earth, run of the mill Joes. They don't try to buy my friendship or impress me with their homes or their clothes. They like me for who I am and I like them for who they are. I used to tell my girls - it's not what's on the outside that counts, it's what's on the inside (meaning the heart).
Let's think of that the next time someone who hasn't or looks like they don't have much wants to spend time or talk with us. Don't ignore them and love them as a brother or sister.
Nancy
Friday, November 2, 2007
Isaiah 50:10
Isaiah 50:10 For anyone out there who doesn't know where you're going, anyone groping in the dark, Here's what: trust in God. Lean on your God! (The Message)
When we are sick, we need to trust people to help us. We look to our doctors for help, look to our friends, look to our families, we often everywhere else before God. Yes, those people are important and yes, we need them in our lives everyday, but before trusting people, we must first trust God.
In my sickness, I have found that trusting people is not always a smart move. They can act like they care, but in reality, they don't and they will just tell you things so to get you through something.
For the past year, I had what I thought was a good doctor. He told me last summer, "I won't give up on you, you are a challenge and we will continue until something works." And I believed him, I trusted him and I took him at his word. Last week he gave up on me. With just a few words from him, any hope I had went and so now I'm on my own, again, doctor wise.
Thankfully, not everyone is like that. I have a couple of close friends with whom I can say anything, anytime to. They will listen and not judge me and have been with me since the beginning. They continually pray for me, they would come to my side right now, if I needed them, and I trust them with everything I have. I often wonder why I haven't lost my trust in them, but I firmly believe it's because they are gifts God sent to me.
I am embarrassed most of the time because of my emotions and thinking. My emotions tell me to drop out of things, they tell me to stop participating, they tell me to run, they tell me a lot of things. And like the Isaiah verse, I don't know where I'm going or when or how or if.
But God's Word encourages me to keep going and I know I have to stay focused on him and never stop trusting him. That's where my special friends, my angels from God, come in. They help me to stay focused and encourage me not to stop trusting God and they don't care that I sometimes lose sight of that and they continue to be here for me and for that I thank God with all my heart.
Nancy
When we are sick, we need to trust people to help us. We look to our doctors for help, look to our friends, look to our families, we often everywhere else before God. Yes, those people are important and yes, we need them in our lives everyday, but before trusting people, we must first trust God.
In my sickness, I have found that trusting people is not always a smart move. They can act like they care, but in reality, they don't and they will just tell you things so to get you through something.
For the past year, I had what I thought was a good doctor. He told me last summer, "I won't give up on you, you are a challenge and we will continue until something works." And I believed him, I trusted him and I took him at his word. Last week he gave up on me. With just a few words from him, any hope I had went and so now I'm on my own, again, doctor wise.
Thankfully, not everyone is like that. I have a couple of close friends with whom I can say anything, anytime to. They will listen and not judge me and have been with me since the beginning. They continually pray for me, they would come to my side right now, if I needed them, and I trust them with everything I have. I often wonder why I haven't lost my trust in them, but I firmly believe it's because they are gifts God sent to me.
I am embarrassed most of the time because of my emotions and thinking. My emotions tell me to drop out of things, they tell me to stop participating, they tell me to run, they tell me a lot of things. And like the Isaiah verse, I don't know where I'm going or when or how or if.
But God's Word encourages me to keep going and I know I have to stay focused on him and never stop trusting him. That's where my special friends, my angels from God, come in. They help me to stay focused and encourage me not to stop trusting God and they don't care that I sometimes lose sight of that and they continue to be here for me and for that I thank God with all my heart.
Nancy
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