Boom!

Just in case you were wondering what we do for fun in Louisville when it's not derby time....

Cover to Cover: Handel

Okay, before we start this week, did anyone else hear Handel's Messiah playing in their heads as we read through Isaiah 40? Years ago, I went and saw Handel's Young Messiah performed and this song (along with others) stuck in my head. So, as I read this week, I kept thinking, "I know this." Cool stuff.

Most of you know that I am doing the Kelly Minter No other gods study with a huge group of people. One of the things that we learned early on in the study was that while satan may tell us things that are "true" they are not the "truth". An example would be something like, "Josh fussed at me because I forgot to shuck the corn." While this is true, satan tries to convince me that I am a horrible wife because I don't take care of my family by shucking corn. This is not Truth. Anyway, I continue to look for examples of this to keep me on my toes and wise to the lies of satan. Isaiah 36:14 says, "Do not let Hezekiah deceive you. He cannot deliver you." While this is true, it is not truth. Hezekiah cannot save his people, however, he knows the One who can. He cries out to God and God hears and delivers.

Did you notice 2 Kings description of Hezekiah? Chapter 18, verse 6 says, " He held fast to the LORD and did not cease to follow Him; he kept the commands the LORD had given Moses." What a wonderful tribute and one that I certainly would like to apply to my life. Do I hold fast? In good times as well as bad? (Isn't it so much easier to cling like a child when the times are bad?)

I guess at this time in my life, I am fascinated with scripture that talks about clinging to God, trusting in Him, yearning for Him and so on. Isaiah 25:8-9 says, "The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; He will remove the disgrace of His people from all the earth. The LORD has spoken. In that day they will say, Surely this is our God; we trusted in Him and He saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in Him; let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation." Isaiah 26:9 goes on to say, "My soul yearns for You in the night, in the morning my spirit longs for You." Again, something that I would like to apply to my life. I love God, but do I yearn for Him, long for Him above all other things?

I also love the comfort that God offers in these passages. In Isaiah 41:9-11, He says, "I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, 'You are My servant'; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Or in Isaiah 43:1b-2. "I have summoned you by name; you are Mine. (Doesn't that just give you chills? He summoned me and I am His!) When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." How about this one? "Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." (Isaiah 46:4) Since I am feeling my age more and more lately, I really liked the comfort of this verse!

We also covered several verses referring to the coming Messiah. The one that I struggle with time and again is Isaiah 53:2, "He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him." While I understand the point that Isaiah is making (It wasn't charisma or good looks that drew people to Jesus, it was God), I still think my Jesus would be beautiful to me! :) One thing that I saw this time that I had not seen before (or at least didn't pay any attention to) was in Isaiah 53:5b, "the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him." I guess I hadn't thought of His crucifixion as bringing us peace before. That kind of stops me in my tracks. What a heavy price to pay for my peace. Isaiah also refers to the LORD "making His life a guilt offering" (53:10). So that I might have peace. That's something that I am going to be thanking my Savior for over and over this coming week.

To be perfectly honest, there are so many other things that I could list here. Isaiah is so much richer than I would have ever believed. (Yay for chronological reading!) There are several more passages that spoke to me this week but I don't want to make this so long that no one will finish it. So I will end with these two scriptures.

“Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life." Isaiah 55:3a

"It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it." Isaiah 55:11

May you hear His Word, seek Him and find life this week and may you always be aware that His Word accomplishes what He desires. Blessings to you!

Have you not heard?

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand or marked off the heavens with the span [of his hand]? Who has gathered the dust of the earth in a measure or weighed the mountains in a balance and the hills in scales?

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God is enthroned above the circle of the earth; its inhabitants are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like thin cloth and spreads them out like a tent to live in.

***

Look up and see: who created these? He brings out the starry host by number; He calls all of them by name. Because of His great power and strength, not one of them is missing.

***

Do you not know? Have you not heard? Yahweh is the everlasting God, the Creator of the whole earth. He never grows faint or weary; there is no limit to His understanding.

Isaiah 40:12, 22,26,28

Ketchup...

Okay, my day didn't go quite as planned but that's what ice cream is for. (And if you understand that remark, then you deserve some ice cream as well.)



Jonathan finally woke up and told me about Video Games Live. He seemed to really enjoy the whole thing. They apparently had a Guitar Hero contest before the concert and the winner got to perform with the orchestra. Guitar Hero is one of the video games that Jonathan did not own but oddly enough, his father found one at a yard sale today for 15.00. So I'm guessing he is preparing for next year! (and after watching this clip, I might be "game" for going too!)



Now, about six weeks ago (I'm blushing!), Lori tagged me for a meme. Since she's gone to visit her inlaws in Jordan for the next month, this probably isn't a very timely time to be doing this. Because she won't know that I finally followed up with her tag. Sorry, Lori! Anyway, you all know the rules. And I won't be tagging anyone afterwards because I think everybody in the free world has already done this one except me. (If you haven't, feel free to jump right in!) But, here goes:



What I was doing 10 years ago: Probably pretty much what I am doing now. Laundry, ironing, raising babies, working, trying to be a better wife and mother...still living in the same house, working in the same job.



Five Snacks I Enjoy: Just five? Okay, Outback Cheese Fries. (You knew that would be one, didn't you?), Carmel Praline ice cream, tortilla chips with a hint of lime, grapes, and homemade butterscotch pudding. Because I believe in getting all the calories one can in my snack.



Things I would do if I were a billionaire: I always thought if I had more money than sense, I would buy these abandoned stores and turn them back into parks and forests. Because I like green. I would probably also buy a villa in Tuscany, take lots of trips and dream of world peace.



Five jobs that I have had: I put decals on t-shirts, sold cheese, worked as a book-keeper at a car dealership, worked as a secretary for a lawyer and a sheet metal company, and work currently at LifeWay.



Three of my habits: I read. Everywhere. All the time. I always have to lay down on my right side first when I go to bed. Always. Did I mention that I read? Ummm...I come home for lunch everyday.



Five place I have lived: I'm not sure I've lived in five cities. Let's see. Cincinnati, Louisville, Bowling Green, the San Joaquin Valley in California, and Louisville.



Five People I Want to Get to Know Better: This is where I am supposed to Tag people. I'd rather not. I want to get to know all of you better. So, if you want to play, please do so.



This has got to be the longest post on the face of the earth. But, I'm not done yet!



Over the past couple of weeks, I have received three internet awards. (and I'm blushing again. This is one of those times that I wish I could see me the way you apparently do.)




I received two Arte Y Pico awards, one from Annette and one from Amy.




I also received a brilliante weblog award from the roost. So, here's the deal. I am supposed to choose blogs that deserve to be recognized. The thing is, there are about 40 blogs on my feed that I read regularly. There are also another ten or so that I try to keep up with weekly. And yes, I spend a lot of time reading blogs. (However, if you read my meme, you'd see that one of my habits is that I read all the time.) So, I am going to share my choices with you. Each of these girls deserve to be recognized for their writing. They all touch my heart in so many ways. They are the sisters that I've always longed for and my mother never gave me!

Without further ado....

Annette, Annette, Amy, Ang, Angie, Brenda, Bev, Anna, Cheryl,
Tammy, Jessi, Jessica, Beth, Mary Jane, Connie, Heather, Michelle, Mindy, Katie, Julie, Beth, Lori, Amanda, Sumi, Helen and 'Nise. Each one of these blogs is award worthy in it's own right. You will be blessed by each one! (and if you visit all of them, you will learn something else about me. I have very eclectic reading tastes.)

Now I'm off to the hot tub. This blogging stuff is hard work! Ya'll have a blessed evening and an even better Sabbath! You mean so much to me!

Yesterday I had to go see the keeper of the medieval torture device (better known as the doctor and his evil henchman, The Scale). This time, however, I emerged victorious. I lost four pounds. When the doctor and I were talking later, he asked if I had been trying to lose weight. I looked at him and said, "aren't women always trying to lose weight?" Because truthfully, even when we aren't actively trying, aren't we at least thinking about it? Anyway, I suppose my victory was short-lived, because he has decided that I need further tests done on my heart (for crying out loud, I am 43 years old. Too young for this nonsense.) And to show the depth of my character, rather than worry about my health or heart or any such thing, all I could hear was the cacophony of cash register sounds indicating the cost of such testing. Sigh.

Jonathan survived and enjoyed his trip into culture last night. (I prefer to think of him as going to the symphony rather than a musical extravaganza of video game music. It sounds so much more distinguished.) He hasn't told me too much about it yet because I was sleeping when he got home and he is sleeping now. But as soon as I hear the exciting details, I will pass them along. I am sure you are hanging on the edge of your seat!

I also plan, if time permits, to catch up on some things on here today. I have a couple of awards to pass along and a meme that is long overdue. (Sorry, Lori.) So, if I am a good girl and get my things done (grocery, laundry, ironing, watering, pet care, and so forth) then I will be back on here, rambling on about other things.

Enjoy the day!

Class?

Several weeks ago my son asked if he could go hear the Louisville Orchestra play on July 18th. You can imagine my shock and surprise. My first thought was that perhaps a little culture might be seeping into his brain as he meanders through the summer. My second thought was that perhaps a girl might be involved. I was wrong on both counts. This is what caught his attention.

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The description says : Video Games Live is an immersive concert event featuring music from the biggest video games of all-time. The Louisville Orchestra performs along with exclusive video footage and music arrangements, synchronized lighting, solo performers, electronic percussion, live action and unique interactive segments to create an explosive one-of-a-kind entertainment experience. Come hear the music from - Metal Gear Solid, God of War, Kingdom Hearts, Castlevania, Medal of Honor, Sonic, Tron, Tomb Raider, Advent Rising, Headhunter, Beyond Good & Evil, Splinter Cell, Ghost Recon, Rainbow Six, EverQuest II and a special retro Classic Arcade Medley featuring over 20+ games from Pong to Donkey
Kong including such classics as Dragon's Lair, Tetris, Frogger, Gauntlet, Space Invaders & Outrun!

I'm thinking it's still an Orchestra event with real instruments and perhaps he'll be inspired to be a concert pianist someday. (If he starts learning to play now, he should be at concert level in ten or twenty years...)

And, in case you are like me, here's a little video clip of what apparently goes on at VGL. (And I haven't even mentioned the costumes and other stuff. Sounds kind of like a star trek convention to me.)



I'm sure it's culture somewhere.

Oh, the irony...

I have a small "chronic" illness. It won't kill me, but it does make me miserable sometimes and can affect my life. It is something that I pray about...daily. At this point in my life, God has not chosen to heal me. And I am okay with that. Mostly. Sometimes.

Yesterday, in our chronological reading, I came across a verse that really spoke to me. We were reading about Hezekiah and his illness and how the LORD told Isaiah to tell Hezekiah that he was going to die. (I thought it was rather kind of God to tell him to put his house in order. That's more warning than most people get.) Anyhow, Hezekiah prays and God changes His mind and gives him another fifteen years. (Again, what a gracious God. Now Hezekiah knows that he has another fifteen years to put his house in order.)

I decided that I would post this verse and blog about it a little bit but I was too busy this morning to take care of it before I went to work.

And as I was heading out the door, I was thinking that it had been a while since my chronic thing had flared up and how relieved I was. (Can you hear the "jaws" music in the background? Do you see doom headed my way?)

Well, to make a rather long and icky story short, I ended up back at the house around lunchtime, having a "moment". Which I suppose makes the verse even more meaningful this day than yesterday.

"You restored me to health and let me live. Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. Isaiah 38:16-17"

My health may not be restored the way I want it to be. But I do believe that God uses all things to His good and glory. (Romans 8:28). And someday, I'll find out how He used something like this. In the meantime, I'll probably keep praying for strength and good health. (After all, it doesn't hurt to ask...)